Fifth Round Of IP Talks Conclude
The fifth round of negotiations for the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement took place in Rabat, Morocco on Thursday and Friday. Participants included Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, and the United States. A spokeswoman for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said the meeting was opened by Minister of Industry, Trade and New Technologies Ahmed Reda Chami who emphasized the importance of ACTA and pledged to make intellectual property a main priority.
The discussions focused on international cooperation, enforcement practices and institutional issues (as described in an April summary provided by the USTR). Participants also continued discussions on transparency matters, including providing information to stakeholders and the interested public. Participants agreed to release draft agendas before all subsequent negotiating rounds. The next round will be hosted by South Korea in November. Participants also confirmed their intention to conclude the agreement as soon as possible in 2010, the USTR spokeswoman said.
Earlier this week, tech watchdogs urged ACTA participants to set aside a portion of the negotiations dealing with "Internet distribution and information technology." Last week, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and trade groups representing movie studios, music labels, video game and software companies and others wrote to the USTR.
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