Intellectual Property Law

A Systemic Threat to the Rights of Legitimate Traders

By Posted by Alan Wexelblat

About 10 days ago I noted that Michael Geist was predicting that India would come out against ACTA. And hoo boy have they ever.

Yesterday's blog entry from Geist notes some sharp language from India against the ACTA treaty and the very secretive process that produced it. A process that, not coincidentally, has excluded India and other developing countries.

India's statement (called an "intervention" at the WTO) shows that it has broad-reaching concerns, not least of which is that even though it was excluded from the treaty, it (and other non-party nations) could be expected to enforce ACTA provisions. This would imperil legitimate Indian businesses and the rights of people in that country. India's opposition is no small thing - it is a major growing economy with political and economic influence of its own. In addition, Geist hypothesizes that India is not just speaking for itself here, but also front-running for a coalition of countries that have been excluded from the ACTA process and are feeling threatened by it.

Full post as published by Copyfight - The Politics of IP on June 11, 2010 (boomark / email).