Think Tank Behind SOPA Says USTR Should Make Sure TPP Includes IP Maximalist Positions

from the shameful dept

Fri, Aug 31st 2012 7:34am — Mike Masnick

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 agreement

Of 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

29 Comments

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Skeptical Cynic (profile), 31 Aug 2012 @ 5:52am

Article Edit
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 agreement

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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Anonymous Coward, 31 Aug 2012 @ 8:00am

While we are on the topic of extreme positions, I call for the abolishment of all intellectual property rights.
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Anonymous Coward, 31 Aug 2012 @ 8:02am

Re:
This is not an extreme position.
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Vidiot (profile), 31 Aug 2012 @ 8:02am

Can they make a case for this position in 8 minutes? Oh... wait... that's how much time WE get, not them. Rats.
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Anonymous Coward, 31 Aug 2012 @ 8:05am

Re:
Our side's presentation should be eight minutes of silence with one slide stating that the presentation can not be shown due to a DMCA takedown notice.
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Ninja (profile), 31 Aug 2012 @ 8:08am

Re: Re:
It's amusing we've come to the point that abolishing intellectual property rights is not considered an extreme measure.
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Ninja (profile), 31 Aug 2012 @ 8:10am

Re: Re:
This presentation was seized.
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SujaOfJauhnral (profile), 31 Aug 2012 @ 8:18am

More like think TANKED
The words 'thinktank' shouldn't be let within 500,000 miles of ITIF and it's masters unless it's involves tanks blasting logical thinking too smithereens.
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SujaOfJauhnral (profile), 31 Aug 2012 @ 8:19am

Re: Re: Re:
Bonus points if no one shows up.
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Lowestofthekeys (profile), 31 Aug 2012 @ 8:20am

Re: Re: Re:
I would agree with you if not for my devastated lack of faith in humanity.

I think reality tv has desensitized me to reality.
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SujaOfJauhnral (profile), 31 Aug 2012 @ 8:25am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
I think reality tv has desensitized me to reality.

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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Lowestofthekeys (profile), 31 Aug 2012 @ 8:31am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Not to derail, but I read a quote from her stating that she would not change her kid's dirty diapers...or cook for him, and would rather have a maid do it.

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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Ed C., 31 Aug 2012 @ 8:31am

For those who don't have the decoder ring, the ITIF is saying it wants other countries to abolish their mercantilist practices, opaque government procurement practices, and non-tariff barriers or other market access provisions, so that the ITIF can replace them with the highest levels of intellectual property rights protections that solely favor its members.

[ 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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Jeff_Vader_runs_the_Deathstar? (profile), 31 Aug 2012 @ 8:33am

Re: Re: Re:
Why would this be amusing?

Do you also find it amusing that asbestos has been banned or that we track the eradication of polio?
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Anonymous Coward, 31 Aug 2012 @ 8:35am

Well at least now I know Google's position on TPP. Thanks!!
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Anonymous Coward, 31 Aug 2012 @ 8:38am

'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.'

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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The eejit (profile), 31 Aug 2012 @ 8:47am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
I'm sorry, what?

Reailty de-densitized me to reality TV. But idiots will always obtain power thought failing upwards.

Just ask Ron Kirk.
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Lowestofthekeys (profile), 31 Aug 2012 @ 9:26am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Bah, it's too early, I meant to say "devastated faith in humanity" which in turn is due to things like reality tv being produced.

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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Anonymous Coward, 31 Aug 2012 @ 9:46am

The phrase "trade barriers" encompasses far more than merely the absence or lax enforcement (if at all) of IP rights, e.g., domestic industry subsidies, discriminatory excise taxes for foreign goods, foreign offsets, etc., all of which are designed to favor domestic over foreign producers.
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Anonymous Coward, 31 Aug 2012 @ 9:52am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Forced sterilization? That's nuts. However, maybe it is a job for social services.
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Anonymous Coward, 31 Aug 2012 @ 11:23am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Or if MF eagles do show up
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gorehound (profile), 31 Aug 2012 @ 12:00pm

Re:
Me too ! And Fuck Off Ron Kirk & USTR
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Josh Taylor, 31 Aug 2012 @ 12:31pm

Better start go living in a Cave.
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Brent (profile), 31 Aug 2012 @ 1:14pm

Does anyone honestly believe that releasing this report is the only way ITIF works to achieve it's end goals? We know they get funding from the MPAA and we know the MPAA has serious influence and access to the TPP negotiations so what need is there to release this report at all when it seems the linking organization (MPAA) can directly impose the 'recommendations' from said report? It seems to me that this type of 'report' is merely a public announcement - a kind of perverted transparency measure for the TPP.
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Morosoph, 31 Aug 2012 @ 4:22pm

Referring back to the article
'Ratcheting back the excesses of copyright and patent law' falls somewhat short of 'abolishing intellectual property rights'.

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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Anonymous Coward, 31 Aug 2012 @ 9:09pm

Re: More like think TANKED
They have been bought and paid for. They intend to stay bought, keep taking the money and serve their masters.

"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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Steve, 31 Aug 2012 @ 10:07pm

Speak out about the TPP before it's too late
The TPP is trap for Internet users just like SOPA was. Speak out now at: http://stopthetrap.net
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Seegras (profile), 3 Sep 2012 @ 12:41pm

Re:
Translation: We're against trade barriers except the ones we introduce with intellectual property laws
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Wendy Cockcroft (profile), 4 Sep 2012 @ 7:18pm

Corporate rights
This is actually not a bunch of corporate potheads writing a report while stoned. They're trying a neurolinguistic trick to do the same job as using "consume" to describe watching a movie, listening to music, or reading a book.

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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