Category Bilateral/Regional Negotiations

NGOs Oppose US Proposal On Copyright For Trans-Pacific Trade Deal

At least a dozen non-governmental groups from several continents have issued a joint statement opposing apparent copyright language proposed by the United States in the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement negotiations. The groups said the draft language, aimed at curbing copyright infringement, could undermine critical copyright exceptions, which are built into laws in order to protect society's access to public knowledge.

William New
August 30, 2012
2 Comments

Access To Medicines And Intellectual Property In Jordan

A new study sponsored by the Medicines Transparency Alliance (MeTA) sheds light on the impact of strong intellectual property protection on access to medicines.

Mexican IP Office Hopes To Persuade Senate On ACTA

The Mexican Intellectual Property Office (IMPI) last week announced that the Mexican Ambassador in Japan had signed the much debated Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. Now it thinks it can persuade the country's new Senate to pass it.

Monika Ermert
July 15, 2012

Hard Times Ahead For Rights Holders? IPR High On Brussels Agenda Before Recess

At a little-publicised annual meeting of the Transatlantic Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Working Group in Brussels this week representatives of the European Commission, several United States agencies and rights holder agreed that there might be tough times ahead for IPRs and rights holders. Meanwhile, the Commission is under pressure on copyright exceptions for visually impaired readers on the eve of a World Intellectual Property Organization meeting. And the Commission this week introduced new rules on collective societies aimed at easing user access to content.

EU Parliament ACTA Rejection Last Nail In ACTA Coffin For Mexico?

The recent rejection of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement by the European Parliament was “fundamental” from the perspective of some negotiating partners, and may have proved fatal for the agreement in Mexico, according to an observer.

Monika Ermert
July 10, 2012

European Parliament Rejection Puts ACTA Future In Doubt

Today’s overwhelming defeat of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) by the European Parliament could have a resounding effect on the treaty’s prospects for survival, according to sources. Meanwhile, public interest groups are celebrating and copyright holders fuming.

William New, Monika Ermert and William New, Monika Ermert
July 4, 2012
20 Comments

US Proposes 3-Step Test For Copyright Exceptions In Trans-Pacific Trade Talks

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on 3 July announced the proposal of a new provision for a trade agreement that will put copyright exceptions and limitations to a 3-step test. The text of the provision was not made available to the public, and reaction to the news by public interest groups has been cautious.

William New
July 4, 2012
2 Comments

EU Trade Commissioner Makes Last Appeal For Delay Of ACTA Vote

EU Trade Commissioner Karl De Gucht today made a last appeal to the European Parliament today to delay the decision on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) in order to allow the European Court of Justice to give its opinion. But he met with strong indications that a rejection of the controversial agreement may be coming tomorrow.

US Congress Members Demand Access To TPP; ACTA Criticised In Australia

More than 130 members of the United States Congress have sent a letter to the US Trade Representative demanding greater access to the still-secret Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, while a new bill is being introduced to reform US trade policy. And another Congress member who earlier publicly leaked the intellectual property rights chapter of the agreement has sent a request to be included as a member of the US delegation to the negotiations.

William New
June 27, 2012
1 Comment

US-EU Transatlantic Trade Deal Would Skip IPRs

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) yesterday released an interim report with the European Union on ways to expand transatlantic trade and investment. But apparently this would not including trying to bridge differences on intellectual property rights.

William New
June 21, 2012
15 Comments

Unprecedented Vote: EU Parliament Trade Committee Rejects ACTA

In an unprecedented move, the European Parliament Committee on International Trade (INTA) today in Brussels passed a report recommending the rejection of the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). Never before has INTA voted to reject a trade agreement negotiated by the Union.

Canada, Mexico Tilt Weight West In Trans-Pacific Partnership Talks

A complex trade negotiation among several countries bordering the Pacific Ocean just got more weighted toward the west as Canada and Mexico joined their North American partner the United States in the talks. They may also infuse new energy into the talks, which are about to enter their 13th round, but may make intellectual property demands tougher to achieve.

William New
June 20, 2012