Leaked document: How the EU planned to force changes in Canada's copyright

Michael Geist writes in with revolting news about the EU-Canada Free Trade Agreement and the EU’s tactics on copyright: “The European Union and Canada are scheduled to resume negotiations on a free trade agreement with the EU hoping to pressure Canada into new IP and copyright reforms that include term extension, DMCA legislation, resale rights, and ISP liability. Now a negotiating strategy document has leaked revealing plans for increasing political pressure and dismissing a Canadian public consultation on copyright as nothing more than a ‘tactic to confuse.'”

Now a second document has leaked, though it is not currently available online. The Wire Report reports that an EU document dated November 16, 2009, features candid comments about Canada and the EU strategy. The document, called a “Barrier Hymn Sheet” leaves little doubt about the EU’s objective:

“Put pressure on Canada so that they take IPR issues seriously and remedy the many shortcomings of their IPR protection and enforcement regime…”

The document states that the trade negotiations are a “unique opportunity [for Canada] to upgrade its IPR regime despite local anti-IPR lobbying.” It includes an assessment of recent copyright reform efforts, noting that two bills have died due to “political instability.” The document adds that the copyright reform process was revived in 2009 with the national copyright consultation, but notes dismissively it may have been a “tactic to confuse.”

EU’s IP Negotiating Strategy With Canada Leaks: Calls 2009 Copyright Consult a “Tactic to Confuse”

(Thanks, Michael!)