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ACTA's Anti-Camcording Provision Faces Opposition From Australia, NZ, Switzerland

By Michael Geist

The leaked comprehensive ACTA draft reveals that a proposed anti-camcording provision has failed to receive significant support.  Proposed by the U.S. and Japan, the provision states:

Each Party shall provide for criminal procedures and penalties to be applied [Japan: in accordance with its laws and regulations,] against any person who, without authorization of the holder of copyright or related rights in a motion picture or other audiovisual work, knowingly [US: uses an audiovisual recording device to transmit or make] [Japan: makes] a copy of [Japan: or transmits to the public] the motion picture or other audiovisual work, or any part thereof, from a performance of the motion picture or other audiovisual work in a motion picture exhibition facility open to the public.

At the moment, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland are all opposed to this provision, while the EU is considering it. Canada and Mexico have proposed specific amendments.  These positions are consistent with claims that ACTA will not change domestic law.  For example, earlier this month Australian officials said it is not seeking to drive change to domestic law through ACTA.  Australia does not have an anti-camcording law.

Full post as published by Michael Geist on March 25, 2010 (boomark / email).