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CETA Update: EU Continues To Press on IP

By Michael Geist

The Department of Foreign Affairs held a call today with various groups to provide an update on the Canada - European Union Comprehensive Trade Agreement negotiations.  The department indicated that there has been progress on virtually all issues and the broad shape of the deal is being outlined.

On intellectual property, the EU is still reflecting on Bill C-32. The department indicated that they have not identified any specific concerns but are weighing whether there are any provisions worth fighting over as part of the broader negotiations.  They are concerned with some copyright issues not included in the bill, notably broadcasting and resale rights. Interestingly, copyright term extension was apparently not identified as a concern. There was very little progress on the other IP issues - some clarification on IP enforcement on EU demands, but no progress on the text; no progress on patents with some significant divergence on these issues, and no progress on geographical indications.  There is Canadian concern that the EU demands on GIs may conflict with trademarks, common names, and have negative economic implications.  The department indicated that the GI issue in CETA was separate from the issue in ACTA.

Full post as published by Michael Geist on July 27, 2010 (boomark / email).