Multi-nation antipiracy talks summarized

We now know a bit more about the anti-piracy negotiations between the US, the 27-member European Union and 10 other nations, thanks to a six-page summary from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

The summary of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, or ACTA, paints mostly in broad strokes, discussing which topics the nations are trying to negotiate, but leaving off details on specific methods and demands. Negotiations have been taking place in secret since 2006.

It seems the ACTA will be tentatively divided into six chapters, covering legal framework, enforcement practices and — in what may be the most signifiant aspect — international cooperation. "Cross-border trade in counterfeit and pirated goods is a growing global problem that often involves organized criminal networks," the summary reads. "ACTA participants need to work together to tackle this challenge."

Another interesting section covers border measures. The nations will talk about whether customs agents should be able to halt potentially pirated items at the border without a request from the rights holder, what should happen to confiscated goods and who will pay for their forfeiture or removal.

There’s also a brief note on the need to hash out copyright enfocement over the Internet, "such as the possible role and responsibilities of internet service providers in deterring copyright and related rights piracy over the Internet," the summary reads. In other words, they’ll talk about whether ISPs should be getting involved in copyright enforcement — a hot button issue as nations adopt various permutations of a "three strikes" policy.

The summary is very clear that it won’t be discussing what each party in the negotiations is after, so we won’t find out, for example, what Washington’s stance is on these new strategies. Still, I’m glad there’s a bit of movement on making these once-secret negotiaions more transparent.