The summary statement from the Mexico ACTA talks has been posted online.  As predicted, it is a bland statement confirming discussions on civil enforcement, border measures, and Internet issues.  It also includes the usual discussion around transparency and the desire to conclude ACTA in 2010.

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The 7th round of ACTA negotiations will conclude around lunch time today in Mexico.  If past meetings are any indication, a few hours later the participating countries will issue a bland statement thanking the host Mexican government, discussing the progress on civil enforcement, border measures, and the Internet as well as noting the transparency discussions and the continued desire to address the issue.  The release will then conclude by looking forward to the next meeting in Wellington, New Zealand in April.

As this five part series (Part One on substance, Part Two on leaks, Part Three on transparency, and Part Four on local implementations) demonstrates, however, there are ongoing concerns with both the process and substance of ACTA.  From a process perspective, the negotiations remain far more secretive than other international agreements.  From a substantive viewpoint, ACTA could result in dramatic reforms in many participating countries.  Countering the momentum behind ACTA will require many to speak out. 

This admittedly feels like a daunting task given the powerful interests that are committed to seeing ACTA through.  That said, many have begun to speak out.  This last post starts with links to a sampling of the politicians and groups that have already made ACTA one of their issues:

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