Update on ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)
 

Here's some new recent reading on ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement):

(It's in Dutch but the links go thru translate.google.com to give an impression)
http://translate.googleusercontent.c... D_D1BE_pnIbLw

http://translate.google.com/translat...& sl=nl&tl=en

First link is a major news site and the second is from the Dutch government (economic state department).

Some (translated) quotes:
The Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is an initiative of Japan and the United States. The idea is, together with other countries, to establish a global standard in enforcing intellectual property rights to enhance production of and trade in counterfeit and pirated goods effectively combat. Accession will be possible on a voluntary basis. At present, Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland and the United States involved in the discussions.....

The efforts of concerned parties that ACTA focuses on three areas: 1) increasing international cooperation in enforcement, 2) sharing of best practices and 3) ensure a more effective legal framework for combating counterfeiting and piracy. With regard to this framework, existing EU legislation in the field of enforcement (such as the Customs Regulation and the Directive civil enforcement of intellectual property rights) model for an international standard.....

# Chapter 1: Introductory provisions and definitions
# Chapter 2 - Legal framework for enforcing intellectual property rights
- Part 1: Civil Enforcement
- Part 2: Measures at the Border
- Part 3: Criminal Enforcement
- Part 4: Enforcement of IP rights in the digital environment
# Chapter 3 - International cooperation
# Chapter 4 - Enforcement Practices
# Chapter 5 - Institutional arrangements
# Chapter 6 - Final Provisions

Looks like 30+ countries are brewing up some new online (copyright) rules.

Thanks for the update.

It's about time we have some new online copyright rules but I believe a whole generation of people have this idea that everything online is free.

Nothing is really free IMO. We all know.

But I agree our common biggest challenge is with the new young PC smart generations getting used not having to pay for anything online, wether it is adult, music, movies, games, software, etc.

Here here~!

ACTA content/plans are released today:

Brussels, 21 April 2010
Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement: European Commission welcomes release of negotiation documents:
http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=552
&
http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/doc...doc_146029.pdf
(39 pages)

On the other hand the Government institution that hunts down pirates, now wanna legalize P2P's....
( http://translate.googleusercontent.c...ZEGb8C2 9iJEA )

Thanks Jack :thumbsup

It's sounds like gideongallery will be out of a job.

Cue VCR analogy in 5.....4....3....

ACTA won't prevent content theft, won't discourage content theft,... won't help this industry in any way.

ACTA will accomplish only 2 things: allow big corporations to eliminate the competition and allow politicians to silence opposition.

P2P has never been illegal, but what the article suggest is a "compensation model". Such model will never work unless the content is controlled and the copyright holders have given permission before it's shared. It's like a public library; they can't just grab whatever they want for the library and pay "compensation" afterwards.

"If you can't beat them, TAX them..!" seems to be the case here.
Getting 10$ to 15$ per month per illegal download user could be a massive revenue stream for sure. After bailing out the banks, money needs to flow back to the governments I guess.

In the big picture, it will destroy revenues, because that's like "I pay tax - so I can grab anything I want in the grocery store". The value of consumption will exceed the tax income...

It won't work, because every creative mind in civilized societies that believe in free trade, will not accept "forced to work for the government". It failed under Mao, and it will fail on internet, which has become too big and important for economy. Once that motivation and freedom is gone, it will stop people from working (unless they are forced) and it will attract scammers.

A library model could work, but only if the work provided is voluntary and administrated in respect of laws and rights.