Post Tagged with: "USTR"

US, EU Defend ACTA Secrecy, UK Supports Transparency

Faced with mounting criticism over ACTA secrecy, officials from both the U.S. and the EU are speaking out. In a letter to the editor at the Financial Times, the USTR's Stanford McCoy rejects the transparency concerns, claiming:

"Far from keeping them secret, governments participating in these negotiations have sought public comments, released a summary of issues under discussion, and enhanced public engagement."

Meanwhile, an EU official told EurActiv.com that media reports have oversimplified ACTA and that information has been provided to the European Parliament "whenever possible." The EU official declined to be named due to a non-disclosure agreement.

February 5, 2010 — 8 comments — News

USTR: ACTA Fears Based on Misconceptions

The USTR won't reveal ACTA, but it claims that fears associated with the still-secret treaty are based on "misconceptions."

February 3, 2010 — 5 comments — News

U.S. Ambassador to Canada: No Link Between Copyright and Buy American Laws

Last month, U.S. trade lobbyist Scotty Greenwood urged Canadians to enact U.S.-style copyright reforms, arguing that progress on that issue would result in movement on the "Buy American" provisions that have cropped up in the United States. I pointed to a post from Blayne Haggart explaining why the link was […]

January 15, 2010 — 3 comments — News

USTR Launches Public Consultation on Special 301

The USTR has launched a public consultation on the Special 301 report that typically ends with criticism of Canadian law. The Office says it will hold hearings on the report for the first time in an effort to increase participation.

January 13, 2010 — Comments are Disabled — News

Ten Players Who Will Shape Tech Law and Policy in 2010

Predictions about future technology law and policy developments are always fraught with uncertainty, yet identifying the key players is a somewhat easier chore. Although Parliament is not scheduled to resume until March, my weekly technology law column (Toronto Star version, homepage version) tracks ten who are likely to lead the way in Canada in the coming year.

Tony Clement, federal Industry Minister. From anti-spam legislation to the national copyright consultation, Clement demonstrated a keen interest in technology issues during his first year as industry minister. 2010 should be no different, with privacy reform legislation, a new copyright bill, and rules for another wireless spectrum auction all on the agenda. To top it off, Clement has sent strong signals that he wants to forge ahead with a long-overdue national digital strategy.

January 4, 2010 — 6 comments — Columns