Think Tank Behind SOPA Says USTR Should Make Sure TPP Includes IP Maximalist Positions
from the shameful dept
ITIF, the think tank that was often credited with coming up with the basic idea behind SOPA's horrifying plan to censor websites and break key parts of the basic DNS system (and, which we recently discovered, gets funding from the MPAA) is back and pushing for support of IP maximalism in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. It has re-released a report about how the TPP must be "the gold standard" in trade agreements -- with a key focus on stronger and more limiting IP rules. In a press release about this re-release, ITIF argues for a strong maximalist agenda in the TPP:Entering into a sub-standard Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement that offers only weak intellectual property (IP) protections or permits countries to maintain mercantilist practices would be far worse than not joining the agreementOf course, that's hilarious, because there's nothing more mercantilist in trade policy today than intellectual property rights. The basic concepts -- developed at the height of mercantilist fervor -- are all about protectionism for legacy players in the space. To argue in favor of stronger IP and against mercantilism makes no sense, because it's self-contradictory. Either ITIF is completely clueless on basic economics, or it's being intellectually dishonest. I can't tell which is worse.
U.S. trade negotiators should insist the TPP include the highest levels of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection, transparency in government procurement practices, removal of non-tariff barriers (NTBs), comprehensive market access provisions, and stringent enforcement mechanisms.What's bizarre here is that, right after calling for IP maximalism, they immediately call for the removal of barriers and an increase in market access. You know what would actually do that? Ratcheting back the excesses of copyright and patent law. It's difficult to see how anyone can take ITIF seriously when they argue against themselves.
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Filed Under: ip maximalism, sopa, tpp
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Article Edit
It should have said...
Entering into any Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement that offers intellectual property (IP) protections permits countries to maintain mercantilist practices and would be far worse for everybody but the IP holders than not joining the agreement.
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I think reality tv has desensitized me to reality.
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Seeing (I think it was) Snooki getting out of bed with her hair going everywhere to drop a deuce at wheneverthehellshewakes and then complain on TV "it won't go down where's the plunger" would desensitize anyone I think.
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It's time like these that the government needs to bring back forced sterilization.
With reference to mercantilism, Hollywood is losing it's perspective when it focuses on saying things to please the government instead of the consumer.
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Reailty de-densitized me to reality TV. But idiots will always obtain power thought failing upwards.
Just ask Ron Kirk.
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But mainly, I'm trying to say I'm apathetic to extremes or change because of...well, people like Ron Kirk.
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Do you also find it amusing that asbestos has been banned or that we track the eradication of polio?
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Referring back to the article
Few call for the latter, but many argue one one side only, since intellectual property law is increasingly leaning towards a clearly unbalanced position that demands correction. That there is 'push back' does not imply that those pushing back are at the other extreme: most would support IPR insofar as it advances the state of the art, and respects other fundamental rights.
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More like think TANKED
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"Either ITIF is completely clueless on basic economics, or it's being intellectually dishonest."
They know perfectly well what they are up to. They can use basic economics or any other tool to serve their purposes. Their problem is not ignorance, their problem is dishonesty. Call them on the dishonesty every time. A better sentence might be:
"ITIF is as well aware of basic economics as anybody else, so they are parading their intellectual dishonesty."
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[ To get your very own decoder ring, please send $5 to Ed C., c.o. Screw U. dept of International Business & Trade ]
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this is all only as far as the USA is concerned. if any other country, whether in the TPP agreement or not, tries to do the same, thereby limiting what the USA can get access to and can profit from, they will be stopped at all costs! Uncle Sam has spoken! ignore at your peril!!
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Speak out about the TPP before it's too late
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Corporate rights
Most people don't do a double take when you describe the above activities as "consuming content."
This time they're trying to push corporate rights a tidge further and get us to accept that the poor widdle co'powate people is bein' discwiminated against.
Sorry, I lost IQ points typing that. It's such a stupid notion. But yeah, that's what it is: https://plus.google.com/115040231829422107651/posts/LwAujsgpFCj
Expect people frightened of teh leftists to push the idea that discrimination against corporations is mean, cruel, and makes them cry. And by "discrimination" I mean "preventing them from shafting us."
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