The CBC is reporting that leaked documents from the secret ACTA negotiations – going on behind closed doors for the past months behind – show that a number of anti-consumer provisions that are considered controversial and threaten to infringe on personal freedoms. The trade agreement provisions are said to include:
- – Allowing internet service providers to cut customers off if sharing copyrighted files is alleged.
- – Limiting the interoperability of legally acquired digital content, such as music or movies.
- – Authorizing border guards to search and seize laptops and MP3 players if copyright infringing material is found on them.
- – Introducing criminal sanctions for copyright infringements.
A number of concerned groups held a web conference on Tuesday to discuss the joint declaration and criticize ACTA governments for their continued secrecy.
The groups, which include Washington-based Public Knowledge, the Ottawa-based Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic, and Quebec’s Union des consommateurs, are demanding the treaty document be opened up to public discussion in negotiating countries.
The treaty has riled a number of groups in Canada who have suggested the federal government’s recently concluded cross-country consultations and town hall meetings to gather input for upcoming revisions to national copyright laws were nothing more than window dressing and at worst a sham.
Industry Minister Tony Clement, who hold the copyright file, in December said that whatever domestic laws the government comes up with will trump ACTA provisions.
“The ACTA negotiations are in fact subservient to any legislation put forward in this House,” he said during a parliamentary session in December.
Others disagree, and argue the fact that the ACTA deal seems to favour Hollywood interests, and has the ear of the Obama administration strongly suggests Canada will follow Washington’s lead.
