Details have emerged about the secretive global negotiations to fight copyright infringement and the movement of pirated material across the world. The proposed Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) has received a lot of speculation due to the secretive nature of the negotiations, with some digital rights lobbyists criticizing the lack of detail. However, the Obama administration's goal to improve transparency has made some details public.
The information released shows how 37 countries are working to find a way to cut copyright infringement and counterfeiting globally. Interestingly, the summary indicates that the countries are trying to figure out how to (if at all) involve Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the fight against piracy.
ACTA also considers measures to stop the flow of copyright infringing material from moving across borders. This led to some fears that there would be checks of computers and MP3 players to find pirated content. However, the outline makes that very unlikely, as it makes it clear the interest is only with industrial-scale importing and exporting of counterfeit material.
"Cross-border trade in counterfeit and pirated goods is a growing global problem that often involves organized criminal networks," the material reads. It said that ACTA might include "a de minimis exception that could permit travellers to bring in goods for personal use". The treaty would harmonize what "scale" of activity needs to be reached before infringement becomes criminal, and how the authorities will deal with it.
More Info: http://ustr.gov/ (PDF)
ACTA also considers measures to stop the flow of copyright infringing material from moving across borders. This led to some fears that there would be checks of computers and MP3 players to find pirated content. However, the outline makes that very unlikely, as it makes it clear the interest is only with industrial-scale importing and exporting of counterfeit material.
"Cross-border trade in counterfeit and pirated goods is a growing global problem that often involves organized criminal networks," the material reads. It said that ACTA might include "a de minimis exception that could permit travellers to bring in goods for personal use". The treaty would harmonize what "scale" of activity needs to be reached before infringement becomes criminal, and how the authorities will deal with it.
More Info: http://ustr.gov/ (PDF)
