[Ecommerce] Michael Geist's Blog on ACTA (and Brian Newman's apologies to all Canadians)

[Manon Ress]

Sorry for cross posting.

Michael Geist's Blog

U.S. Report Says ACTA Deal Gaining Steam

Thursday May 29, 2008

While Industry Minister Jim Prentice and Canadian officials continue
to remain mum about the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, a report
out of the U.S. suggests that there is considerable reason for public
concern.  Congress Daily (sub req) quotes a high-level official from
the USTR as indicating that the talks are gaining steam, with a
binding international agreement likely by the end of the year.  The
USTR official continued by noting that the treaty will focus on
international cooperation, enforcement practices, and a legal
framework.  The article confirms that the USTR comments are consistent
with the document leaked last week that has led to front page
headlines in Canada.

This suggests that the two-part Prentice plan is rapidly coming
together - a Canadian DMCA could be introduced next week, while by the
end of the year Canada may have agreed to an international treaty that
mandates new levels of surveillance for ISPs and border guards.  The
effect of these reforms will dramatically reshape Canadian law with
Prentice and Prime Minister Stephen Harper rolling out the red carpet
for President George Bush's demands and leaving Canadians wondering
how their consumer, property, and privacy rights suddenly disappeared.

http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/2978/125/

END OF QUOTE

And in case you're not on ACTA list and missed this story from
yesterday:

Copyright deal  in The Ottawa Citizen
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Re: Proposed secret copyright deal takes aim at iPods, providers, May
24.

As a former worker and member of a Riding Board of Directors for the
Conservative Party, I feel have to apologize to all Canadians.

The new secret copyright deal clearly shows that this government does
not care about personal privacy or about Canadians' right to debate
and input their own laws. Instead they have cheerily given in to the
unjustified demands of Hollywood and huge music companies.

I will now be donating my time, money and effort to whichever
political party speaks loudest against this proposed bill.

Brian Newman,

Ottawa
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/letters/story.html?id=aeee9444-3b27-4a56-a45c-ee4ecfbc1cc6

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