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Canada's ACTA Briefing, Part Five: The Fight Over a De Minimis Exception

By Michael Geist

One of the most interesting points of discussion/disagreement during the ACTA briefing arose from the possibility of including a de minimus exception within the Border Measures chapter. The exception is presumably designed to ensure that tougher border measures does not result in iPod searching border guards.  Canadian officials indicated that they had proposed a de minimis exception and later acknowledged that several negotiators have put forward their own de minimis language.  In the subsequent discussion, it became clear that there will be a big fight over this provision, with some groups concerned that it would send a signal that purchasing counterfeit products for personal use is acceptable or that it could lead to the importation of counterfeit medicines.

Full post as published by Michael Geist on April 06, 2009 (boomark / email).