Cooperation in the Pacific Rim by Jakob Polacsek, World Economic Forum (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) https://www.flickr.com/photos/worldeconomicforum/48179628441

Digital Trade

Chilean and NZ Proposals for TPP IP Chapter: Counter IP Abuse, Support Public Domain

The Chilean and New Zealand proposals for the intellectual property chapter in the Trans-Pacific Partnership have leaked (Canada has been excluded from the talks so far). The leaks demonstrate how much different many other countries view the inclusion of IP in trade agreements when compared to the U.S. and Europe. […]

February 24, 2011 — 2 comments — News

CETA and Copyright: My Appearance Before the Standing Committee on International Trade

This week I was invited to appear before the Standing Committee on International Trade to discuss the ongoing negotiations of the Canada – European Union Comprehensive Trade Agreement (CETA). I’ve written about some concerns associated with CETA in the past (here, here, here, and here). The appearance comes just as speculation mounts that CETA is running into significant barriers with opposition from many groups and a lack of strong support at the provincial level. While a trade deal that focuses on traditional trade barriers may make sense, the EU’s effort to re-write Canadian regulatory policy on issues such as intellectual property is why the deal should be scrapped or slimmed down. My opening comments before the committee:

February 18, 2011 — 13 comments — Committees, News

CETA Could Cost Drug Plans Billions

The Globe covers a new report that projects that the proposed Canada – European Union Trade Agreement could add nearly $3 billion in additional costs to provincial drug plans.

February 8, 2011 — 1 comment — News

ACTA: Negotiations May Be Done, But Debate Continues

Next week, the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage will begin hearings on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. The hearing are long overdue as many other countries have held hearings or other consultations on the agreement. The ACTA hearings come just as the issue heats up around the world: An ACTA analysis […]

January 28, 2011 — 2 comments — News

Triangulation: My Interview with Leo Laporte and Tom Merritt

Last month I conducted an hour-long interview with Leo Laporte and Tom Merritt on a new TWiT program called Triangulation. The interview focuses primarily on ACTA and Canadian copyright reform.