[Upd-discuss] Re: [A2k] EFF, PK Drop ACTA Suit -- Anyone to Take Up the Case Now?

[Richard Stallman]

The TRIPES (*) agreement uses the term "intellectual property" but
does not formulate its requirements about "intellectual property".  It
has a section about copyright, a section about patents, etc.  Each
sections is written specifically about one law, and was designed to
fit the nature of that law.  Some of these sections are too strict,
and harmful, which is why TRIPES is bad; but it does not commit the
error of lumping all these different laws together and treating them
the same.

ACTA, it seems, does commit that error.  TRIPES was carefully designed
to achieve some bad goals, but ACTA reflects confusion.  While TRIPES
is too strict, ACTA is positively nuts.

Whenever our enemies use the term "intellectual property", they are using
confusion as a weapon.  The official name of TRIPES does that.
What is new in ACTA is that they have woven that confusion into their
actions as well as their statements to the public.

(*) TRIPES stands for "Trade-Restricting Impediments to Production,
Education and Science".  This name makes it possible to refer to the
treaty without using the term "intellectual property" and thus
boosting its use.