One of the most interesting points of discussion/disagreement during the ACTA briefing arose from the possibility of including a de minimus exception within the Border Measures chapter. The exception is presumably designed to ensure that tougher border measures does not result in iPod searching border guards. Canadian officials indicated that they had proposed a de minimis exception and later acknowledged that several negotiators have put forward their own de minimis language. In the subsequent discussion, it became clear that there will be a big fight over this provision, with some groups concerned that it would send a signal that purchasing counterfeit products for personal use is acceptable or that it could lead to the importation of counterfeit medicines.
Canada’s ACTA Briefing, Part Five: The Fight Over a De Minimis Exception
April 6, 2009
Share this post
2 Comments

Law Bytes
Episode 257: Lisa Given on What Canada Can Learn From Australia’s Youth Social Media Ban
byMichael Geist

February 9, 2026
Michael Geist
Episode 256: Jennifer Quaid on Taking On Big Tech With the Competition Act's Private Right of Access
February 2, 2026
Michael Geist
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 255: Grappling with Grok – Heidi Tworek on the Limits of Canadian Law
January 26, 2026
Michael Geist
December 22, 2025
Michael Geist
December 8, 2025
Michael Geist
Search Results placeholder
Recent Posts
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 257: Lisa Given on What Canada Can Learn From Australia’s Youth Social Media Ban
Court Ordered Social Media Site Blocking Coming to Canada?: Trojan Horse Online Harms Bill Clears Senate Committee Review
An Illusion of Consensus: What the Government Isn’t Saying About the Results of its AI Consultation
The Law Bytes Podcast, Episode 256: Jennifer Quaid on Taking On Big Tech With the Competition Act’s Private Right of Access
Government Says There Are No Plans for National Digital ID To Access Services

education and counterfeit medicines
WHAT IDIOT BUYS counterfeit medicine in Canada?
YOU goto doctor get prescription …. pay 2$ or whatever and well a REAL medicine.
SHAM man. They gonna say our system is like some 3rd world they all need to pack up and crawl back under the rocks they drilled up from.
GOOD LORD this is getting awful stupid fast isn’t it.
I’m on welfare and i only have to pay 2$ per prescription.
WHY on earth buy your medicine for more form unknown sources?
As to counterfeiting. THE ONLY REASON IT EXISTS IN ANY FORM IS CALLED GREED. OVER PRICING YOUR PRODUCT WILL LEAD TO IT.
PERIOD END OF DISCUSSION.
Shut the @#$% up
You pay $2 for a prescription because *I* pay the other several hundred. Products do not get counterfeited because they are overpriced, they get counterfeited because there are priced high enough that people like you can’t afford them, so you buy the counterfeit ones. BMW’s, Ferrari’s, and yes, even medication, are priced according to not only the materials that go into producing them, but also the research, development, time, and HARD WORK that go into making those products a reality.
Our system is a sham. People like you need to get up and get a job and stop sucking on my paycheck.