p2pnet - rss feed: ACTA ‘veil of secrecy’
p2pnet news Freedom:- | Politics:- Last week, Canadian negotiators huddled with representatives from countries such as the United States, European Union, and Japan at the U.S. Mission in Geneva to negotiate the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA).
The ACTA, which was shrouded in secrecy until a leaked summary of the agreement appeared on the Internet last month, has sparked widespread opposition as Canadians worry about the prospect of a trade deal that could lead to invasive searches of personal computers and increased surveillance of online activities.
While documents obtained under the Access to Information Act reveal internal ACTA discussions as early as 2006, the trade negotiations only came to the Canadian public’s attention last fall when International Trade Minister David Emerson revealed the government’s intention to participate in the negotiations.
Since the announcement, the Canadian government has been among the most secretive of all ACTA negotiating partners.
The Department of Foreign Affairs conducted a public consultation on the treaty in April; however, the government revealed little about either the timing or substance of the agreement.
By comparison, Australia launched a public consultation on the treaty before committing to participate in the ACTA talks.
Fears about the ACTA have spilled into the political arena as NDP MP Charlie Angus last week voiced concerns about its effects during Question Period in the House of Commons and Toronto-area Liberal MP Bob Rae blogged that it “augurs a ridiculously intrusive national and international apparatus to police practices that are as common as eating and breathing.”
With another round of talks set for next month in Japan, the government should use the opportunity to pressure its trading partners to lift the veil of ACTA secrecy. Trade negotiators may prefer to remain outside of the spotlight, yet greater transparency is desperately needed.
Public disclosure of the draft documents might put an end to fears about iPod searching border guards by clarifying the full scope of the treaty. Moreover, it could focus attention on other key concerns including greater Internet service provider filtering of content, heightened liability for websites that link to allegedly infringing content, and diminished privacy for Internet users.
Greater transparency would also lead to a more inclusive process.
To date, the ACTA negotiations have excluded both civil society groups as well as developing countries. In fact, reports suggest that trade negotiators have been required to sign non-disclosure agreements for fear of word of the treaty’s provisions leaking to the public. Given the need for cooperation from all stakeholders to battle counterfeiting concerns, an effective strategy requires broader participation and regular mechanisms for feedback.
ACTA transparency would further ensure that Canada’s domestic and international counterfeiting strategies remain consistent. With domestic anti-counterfeiting legislation currently in the works, Industry Minister Jim Prentice could use the opportunity to highlight his domestic and international anti-counterfeiting strategies.
Given the concerns associated with counterfeiting, an open ACTA also promises to increase the effectiveness of anti-counterfeiting activities. For example, there is general consensus that law enforcement and regulators should prioritize health and safety concerns that arise from counterfeit pharmaceutical activities.
Protecting Canadians from pharmaceutical fraud requires a comprehensive approach, including confiscation of counterfeit and expired drugs, regulatory action against unsafe marketing claims, and assurances that consumer health will not be placed at risk due to the withholding of relevant research data. If the leaked ACTA information is accurate, the current draft adopts a much more limited approach by focusing on confiscating drugs, thereby leaving Canadians vulnerable to pharmaceutical fraud.
With the ACTA speculation at a fever pitch, there is a sense that both the U.S. and European Union are anxious to conclude negotiations by the end of the year.
Canadian officials should express reservations about this aggressive timeline and insist that all parties open ACTA to the public now.
Michael Geist
[Geist is the Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-commerce Law at the University of Ottawa. He can be reached by email at mgeist[at]uottawa.ca and is on-line at www.michaelgeist.ca.]
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June 10th, 2008 at 6:48 am
George Orwell only got one thing wrong in his book: the date.
June 11th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Counterfeit pharmaceuticals probably do pose real risks to the public. When it comes to handbags, clothes, shoes, etc… the fact that counterfeiters can produce products that pass for the real thing from the same materials for a fraction of the price just exposes the gross price gouging by the “brand names” that is taken for granted. Branding brings NOTHING OF REAL VALUE to society. You are being duped. Time and again. Constantly. Whatever. I’m wasting my time posting this. Friggin’ Drones.
June 11th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Yes it is worrying that paranoid fiction is becoming reality. It’s time for a fundamental change in government before we are at the point of no return. Votes (referendums) should be put to the public on critical matters such as these.