What do people think about ACTA?

[stefan]

Perhaps a better question is: how much do people actually know about ACTA?

ACTA is the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement being discussed largely in secret around the world, or as some commentators say, being forced down bureaucrats throats by the stakeholders in the US (ie movie studios, record labels, and of course pharmaceutical companies)

I haven't been incredibly involved in the research on this topic, but my understanding is that the concept is to stop counterfeit goods including drugs, and any copyright or trademarked infringements being able to cross international borders, as well as increased domestic procedures and laws to detect and prosecute offenders.

There is some concern that this 'counterfeit drugs' may threaten generic drugs, especially for use in third world countries where cost is a much bigger concern, and while I do not know details on this, there are some worrying precedents already (see link #2)

I'm also worried about the search and seizure aspects covered in ACTA, though have not read the recent drafts to see if they have been reduced much. I'm glad they've removed the clause suggesting signatory nations search digital devices crossing borders for copyrighted material such as music etc, but where it stops, I don't think anyone knows yet.

See also: (no, I don't expect anyone to read all these)

• Wikipedia
• International Economic Law and Policy Blog: The Generic Drug Seizure Complaints
• ACTA Posts by Michael Geist, Law Professor (Canada)
• IP Justice: ACTA (International)
• Electronic Frontiers Foundation: ACTA (US)
• Electronic Frontiers Australia: ACTA (Australia, EFA is the same as EFF in the US)
• ACTA: DMCA Mark II? - ALP Senator Kate Lundy (Australia)

Also for you US citizens or travelers here, from wikipedia:

In July 2008, the United States Department of Homeland Security disclosed that its border search policies allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents to conduct random searches of electronic devices for "information concerning terrorism, narcotics smuggling, and other national security matters; alien admissibility; contraband including child pornography, monetary instruments, and information in violation of copyright or trademark laws; and evidence of embargo violations or other import or export control laws."[49][50] US Senator Russell Feingold called the policies "truly alarming" and proposed to introduce legislation to require reasonable suspicion of illegality and to prohibit racial profiling.[49] The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has previously upheld the constitutionality of laptop searches without reasonable suspicion at border crossings.[49]

 

[DustyKat]

Perhaps a better question is: how much do people actually know about ACTA?

Next to nothing!

I have read through all the links you posted, well some parts I skimmed, and I was glad when when I got to last one 'cause I was a pretty foggy by then! But that wasn't the reason...............I thought Senator Lundy summed it up very nicely for me and just as well otherwise I would have had no idea how to respond to your post!

Speaking of foggy..........I'm reaching into the darkest recesses of my brain here.....................I think I remember a while ago hearing about pharmaceutical companies wanting to have patents that don't expire. Did that have something to do with the ACTA talks?

There was a Four Corners program aired in 2001 called Paying The Price...................................

http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/s248583.htm

It is essentially about the pharmaceutical companies trying to and succeeding in infiltrating the PBS advisory committee. I often wonder now, when I hear about the blow out in the PBS, how much of it is due to those reps sitting on that committee.

Hmmmmmmmmm............that's what ya call getting off topic! :lol:

Dusty.