This article is written from a Canadian perspective, but at the end includes links to reactions from other countries. The talks are designed to create a world wide set of American-style, MPAA & RIAA-wanted (although, of course, not specifically mentioned), draconian and invasive Internet laws that would override many country’s laws. How did we let these two organizations’ lobbyists get so much power that they can get our government to do their bidding on the world?
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement negotiations continue in a few hours as Seoul, Korea plays host to the latest round of talks. The governments have posted the meeting agenda, which unsurprisingly focuses on the issue of Internet enforcement [UPDATE 11/4: Post on discussions for day two of ACTA talks, including the criminal enforcement provisions]. The United States has drafted the chapter under enormous secrecy, with selected groups granted access under strict non-disclosure agreements and other countries (including Canada) given physical, watermarked copies designed to guard against leaks.
Despite the efforts to combat leaks, information on the Internet chapter has begun to emerge (just as they did with the other elements of the treaty). Sources say that the draft text, modeled on the U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement, focuses on following five issues:
[…]
The Internet chapter raises two additional issues. On the international front, it provides firm confirmation that the treaty is not a counterfeiting trade, but a copyright treaty. These provisions involve copyright policy as no reasonable definition of counterfeiting would include these kinds of provisions. […] When combined with the other chapters that include statutory damages, search and seizure powers for border guards, anti-camcording rules, and mandatory disclosure of personal information requirements, it is clear that there is no bigger IP issue today than the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement being negotiated behind closed doors this week in Korea.
Found by Brother Uncle Don.
They we’re already huge…years ago. The real question is why do then want/ need to try to retain so much control over copyright or “property”…the answer is because everyone think the product the benefit from should be free!
They make Billions on sales all over the world….they had better control over their product distribution years ago and as they lose it, they fight for it.
I am not a fan of RIAA…but the reality is if people still paid for the product (at least in the traditional sense) this fight wouldn’t exist as fiercely.
Just like the Garth article a few weeks back…talk about “don’t look over here” the fight isnt about Garth wanting extra pennies for each sale. it’s about the entire industry of people who make a modest living through the sale of these products. I assure you that is a big reason why many artists fight for it…
Listen if you have paid for every piece of music you have or every movie you’ve watched, video game, ebooks…I apologize. You’re not the problem.
Now it’s time for me to go take some oranges and apples from Kroger, because they DO grow on trees!
In the near future copywright laws will be extended to include distribution of free content. It will be illegal to provide anything, even (perhaps especially) your own original content, for free. By providing free content you are stealing someone else’s ability to monetize their content. Free performances will be considered criminal. Bloggers like JCD will be okay, but he’ll need to accept more advertisers or risk criminal and civil charges. Goodbye NoAgenda.
#1–very pre digital thinking. Are you likewise of the mind that we should all pay to continue to get news from newspapers and magazine?==or how about leaflets and town cryers?
It is natural that people that have the monopoly on old technology want that hold to continue===but why would anyone except those with such a hold support that thinking???
Move TOWARDS the light.
What a bunch of abusive people in the recording industry living high off the hog
If they are not abusing the artists they are abusing the consumers
I used to say f@ck you. Now I say RIAA you.
Right now this a treaty negotiation. What we need to worry about are the morons that will vote to pass it. We need to start organizing now to put pressure on members of the Senate NOT to pass this abomination. We have to assume that ALL of the Republicans in the Senate will vote for it. They are a wholly owned subsidiary of BIG BUSINESS.
So let them pass some more unenforceable laws. They will persecute some more 8 year olds and grandmas, and meanwhile I will still be downloading anything I want.
#6 “We have to assume that ALL of the Republicans in the Senate will vote for it. They are a wholly owned subsidiary of BIG BUSINESS.”
I’m not worried. The Dems, being morally superior, hold a huge majority and would never let this happen. They don’t need a single Republican vote.
# 6 Improbus COULD have said, “We have to assume that ALL of the Democrats in the Senate will vote for it. They are a wholly owned subsidiary of the RIAA and MPAA.”
@ #8 – Robart
How I wish that were true. But you only need 34 votes in the Senate to block a treaty and there may be that many honest senators left.
April 4, 1984
@ #9 -Animby
I could have said but it wouldn’t have been COMPLETELY true. There are still a few Democrats that actually work for their constituents and not the lobbyists.
Ah, well. The internet was nice while it lasted. If this actually passes and is enforced, the internet will cease to be anything anyone will want to use.
#5
I like that. I’m going to use that now too, that is if it’s still free? 🙂
Copyright law IS’ counterfeit LAW.
The ACTA bill has been PUSHED for the last 2-3 years. They were really BEATING on canada. and the BILL is HARSHER then USA law. AND if passed, would require the USA to Push harder on Copyright law.
I’ll try to find the link, but I think I read that part of this treaty is yet another case of trying to make ISPs responsible for all content on their networks and for doing inspection.
Once again: ya still don’t think this administration is trying to control everything?
We know where RIAA and MPAA are coming from, but so far as national interest goes, this is USA-driven. We live in a post-industrial age. I wonder whose industrial production has decreased the most? We live in an information age. I wonder where the information companies and their investors hang out? Same answer to both questions. No wonder the measures are so secret. See no evil!
Law making bodies all over the planet seem to have one thing in common. They’ll vote for anything if you offer them enough money.