US Gov. Releases Six Pages On Secret ACTA Pact 86
narramissic writes "Change is afoot at the Office of the US Trade Representative. New details have been released about an anti-counterfeiting trade agreement that has been discussed in secret among the US, Japan, the European Union and other countries since 2006. Although the six-page summary (PDF) provides little in the way of specific detail about the current state of negotiations, the release represents a change in policy at the USTR, which had argued in the past that information on the trade pact was 'properly classified in the interest of national security.'" Michael Geist has a timeline that puts together more details about the ACTA negotiations than any government has so far been willing to reveal.
Wikileaks has some more docs on this too (Score:5, Informative)
eg.
http://wikileaks.org/wiki/ACTA_negotiations_brief_on_Border_Measures_and_Civil_Enforcement_2008 [wikileaks.org]
"Rights holders to get the right to obtain information regarding an infringer, their identities, means of production or distribution and relevant third parties."
Re:Are we TRYING to destroy the Union? (Score:3, Informative)
Before we get all crazy about why we declared independence and war against a perfectly friendly country and read some overly complex declaration why don't we actually read and worry about our bill of rights. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Bill_of_Rights [wikipedia.org].
A very simple list and somehow we can't get past the first two items on it which from what I can tell are the only ones left on the list not taking it up the ass.
I'm not sure, I'm pretty sure Amendment 3 is still going strong. I've never been forced to quarter troops, in time of war or otherwise. Indeed, The government would simply buy out an apartment complex if they needed to station troops in real housing someplace in the country. I've also heard little complaint about violations of the Seventh Amendment. If you demand a jury trial, and have any questions of fact in dispute, and have brought the lawsuit to a real court, (not a small claims court), you will get a jury trial. (Small claims courts often blatantly ignore the relevant law, attempting only to rule based on equity. If your suit was for more than 20 dollars, and you want a jury trial, then just don't take it to a small claims court. If the larger court claims the amount in question is too small, then sue for more.)
Obama and the Queen conspire to violate copyright (Score:2, Informative)
During their private meeting with Queen Elizabeth II, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama gave the monarch a personalized iPod with video footage of her 2007 visit to Washington and Virginia and preloaded with 40 show tunes, in blatant violation of copyright law [today.com].
The 9000-word iTunes or Amazon MP3 contracts establish licensing, not ownership, of the file, for personal, not commercial or diplomatic use. Furthermore, should the Queen connect her new iPod to a computer, further copies will be made, in direct contravention of British law.
"It's okay!" said Mr Obama. "As Nixon said, 'if the President does it that means it's not illegal.' And you can't sue the Queen anyway. So we're sweet with ACTA. Even if you aren't."
"One is delighted with one's gift," said Her Majesty. "It helps block that dreadful Italian fellow. Our grandchildren have also assisted us in 'downloading' our Coronation from 'The Pirate Bay.' What will they think of next!"
Songs include "Pass the Duchy", "We Are The Champions", "Public Image" and, of course, "Black President," which Michelle and Elizabeth "cut a rug" to arm in arm.
"I know I got them RIAA bozos in the house," said Mr Obama. "Joe's pals. But one word from me and her Royal Highness here and they'll be less popular than bankers. Word."