Archive for July, 2010

Why Parma Ham May Stand in the Way of ACTA and CETA

Canada is currently negotiating two major international trade agreements and my weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) notes that while it may seem hard to believe, their successful completion may ultimately depend on the level of protection provided to Parma ham.  The Canada – European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) are both facing increasing opposition based on European demands to expand protection for “geographical indications.”

Geographical indications (GI) are signs used on goods – frequently food, wine, or spirits – that have a specific geographical origin and are said to possess qualities, reputation or characteristics that are essentially attributable to that place of origin.  Given the quality associated with the product, proponents of GI protection argue that it is needed to avoid consumer confusion as well as to protect legitimate producers.

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July 20, 2010 8 comments Columns

Why Parma Ham Stands in the Way of Two Major Trade Agreements

Appeared in the Toronto Star on July 19, 2010 as Why Parma Ham Stands in Way of Trade Talks Canada is currently negotiating two major international trade agreements whose success may ultimately depend on the level of protection provided to Parma ham.  While it may seem hard to believe, the […]

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July 20, 2010 Comments are Disabled Columns Archive

EU Article 29 Working Party Expresses Concern About ACTA and Privacy

The EU Article 29 Data Protection Working Party, which included ACTA on its agenda as part of its meetings last week, has written to Commissioner Karel de Gucht to express concern about the privacy implications of ACTA.  The Working Party is particularly concerned with notice-and-takedown procedures, customs searches, and criminalization.

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July 20, 2010 1 comment News

Report Finds Canadian Wireless Firms Tops on Profit, Low on Penetration

The CBC reports on a new study from Bank of America Merrill Lynch has an eye-opening rankings for Canada’s major wireless providers.  The report finds that the Big 3 of Bell, Rogers, and Telus control 95% of the market, have the highest profit margin in the developed world and the […]

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July 20, 2010 6 comments News

Human Rights Groups Challenge USTR Special 301

A group of public interest organizations in the U.S. have filed a complaint alleging that the Obama administration’s trade policy reduces access to medicines in low and middle income nations, and therefore violates international human rights obligations.

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July 20, 2010 Comments are Disabled News