16th EU-Canada Summit, 30 October 2016 by European External Action Service (CC BY-NC 2.0) https://flic.kr/p/Nz8q9J

16th EU-Canada Summit, 30 October 2016 by European External Action Service (CC BY-NC 2.0) https://flic.kr/p/Nz8q9J

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CETA Implementation Bill Provides Reminder of the IP Cost in the Canada – EU Trade Deal

The Canadian government moved quickly from signing the trade agreement between Canada and the European Union on Sunday to tabling Bill C-30, the CETA implementing legislation, on Monday. While most of the attention has focused on the political issues surrounding CETA in Europe and the potential gains for Canadian exporters due to tariff reductions, the implementing bill provides a reminder that there are significant costs associated with CETA that have generated far less discussion. In fact, the majority of the 140-page bill features changes to Canada’s intellectual property rules, requiring changes that largely serve European interests.

Mandated reforms to patent protections (in the form of term restoration provisions) and the expansion of protections for dozens of European geographical indications was always part of the price to be paid for CETA. There were concerns expressed throughout the negotiations on both issues.  Geographic indications rules grant protections to foods widely produced around the world and establish new marketing and naming restrictions on Canadian food producers.  Meanwhile, the patent term restoration provisions are likely to increase health care costs in Canada by delaying the availability of generic pharmaceuticals due to the extension in the term of protection for patented pharmaceuticals.

Bill C-30 includes detailed provisions amending the Patent Act to create a “supplementary patent protections” system that extends the term of protection. It also contains changes to the Trade-Marks Act to protect the long list of European geographical indications.

The bill is expected to sail through the House of Commons – there are reports it could pass before year-end – but those who take the time to review the implementing legislation will find that the deal being touted as a “progressive trade agreement for a strong middle class” includes extensive changes to intellectual property law that will lead to higher pharmaceutical costs for all Canadians and create new restrictions for the Canadian agricultural community.

 

5 Comments

  1. On the subject of geographic indications, while it’s hard to argue that these restrictions are novel and will impede our agricultural sector in a fashion (although I’ve little to say about the extent), some of our producers may very well appreciate the idea that they could apply for their own protections for such things as Taber corn and Alberta beef.

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  4. Don’t forget the cost of sending our military to Eastern Europe in an effort to get those countries on board with this trade deal.

  5. Not so “on the verge of collapse” it would seem.

    Pity.