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Copyright Sovereignty on the Table at ACTA Talks
Canadian trade officials are quietly negotiating the multilateral Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) with a focus on the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. Critics say the proposed agreement will move Canadian Internet and copyright laws toward U.S. practices without the full scrutiny of Canadian legislative reform. The latest round of trade talks concluded on November 6th in South Korea. Further talks are scheduled for Mexico in January 2010 with the aim of concluding the agreement as soon as possible in 2010.
Though the negotiations are generally closed and draft text is unavailable, leaks suggest that U.S.-style, third party liability, notice and take down and anti-circumvention (digital rights management) terms are in discussion. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) could be required to police and filter out pirated material, hand over user names believed to be infringing copyright and restrict the use of identity-blocking software. Under ACTA proposals, people suspected of regularly downloading pirated works could have their Internet connection severed for up to a year and be liable to pay a fine. Parties to the negotiations include Australia, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland and the United States.
Copyright reform in Canada has generated significant public comment and recent proposed legislative changes failed to be enacted prior to the last federal election.
For additional information, visit:
http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2009/november/tradoc_145271.pdf
http://tinyurl.com/OttCitizen-ACTA http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/4510/125/