This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
(3) Establish copyright provisions well beyond current norms. For example, the US - Oman Free Trade Agreement enforces rights 95 years after publication or 120 years after creating corporate owned works.
(4) "Adopt laws banning circumvention of digital locks (technological protection measures - TMPs) that mirror the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), and treat violation of the TMP provisions as a separate offense, even when no copyright infringement is involved."
As a result, signatories would have to rewrite or reverse existing laws to comply. Enormous public interest harm would result. Business would benefit at the expense of the greater good.
(5) Impose copyright infringement criminal sanctions.
(6) "Adopt the US DMCA Internet Intermediaries copyright safe harbor regime in its entirety." Again, fundamental protections would end.
Overall, signatories would be forced to adopt harmful provisions. Sovereignty issues and consumer protections are at stake, as well as the ability of governments to prioritize domestic needs.
Like ACTA, negotiations are secret behind closed doors. Transparency demands by prominent civil society organizations were ignored. They include Public Citizen, Global Exchange, Friends of the Earth, Earthjustice and others.
If adopted, non-signatory countries will be affected, including all 21 APEC members. Pressure will be applied globally to comply with anti-populist provisions.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).