Another CETA round in Ottawa Oct. 18-22

A fifth round of negotiations on the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is scheduled for Oct. 18-22 in Ottawa. Negotiations on the agreement have been taking place since last year and it’s expected Canadian and European Union officials will try to hammer out a finalized agreement by the end of 2011. Leaks early this year showed the EU is pressuring Canada for amendments to its intellectual property regime through the agreement—including a proposal to extend Canada’s term of copyright from 50 to 70 years. A leak in March also showed the EU is pushing for rights for broadcasters that failed in a proposed Broadcast Treaty at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The Department of Foreign Affairs held a conference call with stakeholders on July 27 to provide an update on the negotiations, Michael Geist, Canada research chair of Internet and e-commerce law at the University of Ottawa, noted on his blog. “On intellectual property, the EU is still reflecting on Bill C-32. The department indicated that they have not identified any specific concerns but are weighing whether there are any provisions worth fighting over as part of the broader negotiations,” Geist wrote. “They are concerned with some copyright issues not included in the bill, notably broadcasting and resale rights.” In April, another leaked negotiating text showed there are proposals to amend Canada’s Telecommunications Act to open up the sector to European investment. Industry Minister Tony Clement has pledged to open up the sector to foreigners—the question is to what degree. Clement held a consultation during the summer, proposing three options for reform. The Conservative government says a broad agreement with the EU could boost the Canadian economy by $12 billion. Further rounds of negotiations are scheduled to take place in Brussels in January 2011 and Ottawa in April.

Another CETA round in Ottawa Oct. 18-22

Brief | September 20, 2010

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Another CETA round in Ottawa Oct. 18-22

Brief | September 20, 2010

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