Intellectual Property Law

US Bullying of Canada?

By Marty Schwimmer

Prof Patry: No One Likes a Bully: The IIPA and Canada:

It is entirely proper for U.S. industries to protect their own interests. IIPA?s website, though, shoots for a loftier goal, that of helping to create ?a legal and enforcement regime for copyright that not only deters piracy, but that also fosters technological and cultural development in these countries, and encourages local investment and employment.? The last two clauses evoke a globally beneficent outlook, one reminiscent of the ?a raising tide lifts all boats? bromide according to which very high levels of protection are actually good for other countries because it protects authors from those countries. The bromide is false, though, and not only because the IIPA doesn't do outreach to help local investment or employment in foreign countries: it is also false because the ill-effects of hyper-copyright are felt in the U.S., from orphan works, to oppressive remedies, and misuse of circumvention rights to squelch competition and preserve outmoded business models.

Full post as published by Trademark Blog on February 13, 2008 (boomark / email).