The Canadian Press reports that several provinces have written to the federal government to express concern over the Canada – EU Trade Agreement intellectual property provisions and the potential increase in drug costs that may result. The provinces are demanding compensation of Canada caves to EU demands on drug patents.
Post Tagged with: "ceta"
EP Committees Reject ACTA As Backlash Against Secretive IP Agreements Continues to Grow
The strength of the anti-ACTA movement within the European Parliament is part of a broader backlash against secretive intellectual property agreements that are either incorporated into broad trade agreements or raise critical questions about prioritizing IP enforcement over fundamental rights. This week the Dutch Parliament voted against ratifying the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, a move that some experts say could effectively kill ACTA (which is a “mixed agreement”) throughout Europe. In addition to the two anti-ACTA resolutions, the Dutch Parliament passed a third resolution against similar treaties:
The House of Representatives,
– observes that treaties like ACTA lead to a further formalization of copyrights rules on the international level,
– observes that such treaties are very difficult to modify and as a result can be an extra impediment for future reforms of copyright law,
– observes that strict enforcement of intellectual property on the internet is no solution for the ongoing difficulties regarding copyright law and interferes with internet freedom,
– requests the government to vote against new similar treaties,
– requests the government to focus the copyright policy on economic growth opportunities offered by the internet through, amongst others things, new revenue models for legal content.
The opposition to ACTA and ACTA-style treaties (which obviously include the Trans Pacific Partnership and bi-lateral agreements such as CETA) is part of a growing international trend as elected officials and independent policy officials around the world voice their objection to these treaties.
Provinces Warn Ottawa Over CETA IP Provisions
The B.C., Ontario, and Manitoba governments have reportedly expressed concern about the prospect of higher prescription drug prices as a result of the intellectual property provisions in the Canada – EU Trade Agreement.
CETA’s Constitutional Problem
My colleague Jeremy deBeer has published an article on the constitutional challenges posed by the intellectual property provisions in the Canada – EU Trade Agreement.
What the Government Won’t Tell You Today About the Canada – EU Trade Agreement
The reason for the omissions are essential to understanding one of the primary sticking points with CETA. While the government says the deal is 75% completed, negotiators have consistently indicated that they left the toughest issues to the end. Those include rules of origin, agriculture, immigration and visa issues, and intellectual property.
The CETA intellectual property chapter leaked in 2010, revealing that the EU is seeking a complete overhaul of Canada’s IP laws. Initial demands on copyright included: