By Christine Turner, Assistant USTR for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement
Friday at the 12th round of Trans-Pacific Partnership talks outside Dallas, Probir Mehta, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intellectual Property and Innovation, and I had a great opportunity to hear from and speak with U.S. and international stakeholders at a lunch session hosted by Public Knowledge discussing copyright enforcement. Speakers included Rashmi Rangnath of Public Knowledge, Jonathan Band of Library Copyright Alliance, Susan Chalmers at Internet New Zealand, Gwen Hinze of Electronic Frontier Foundation, and Jodie Griffin of Public Knowledge. Each gave presentations on issues including fair use, first sale doctrine, proportional response to infringement and the interests of users.
Panelists at the Copyright Enforcement session hosted by Public Knowledge
A key point the speakers highlighted was that enforcement mechanisms should be set up so as not to hamper due process or access to information. Many negotiators from various TPP countries were on hand to hear this message. The speakers also discussed the important challenges of balancing the interests of users of information with those of copyright holders -- especially given the dynamic and ever-changing nature of technology and how intellectual property is shared. The session highlighted the need for balanced legal systems to respect freedom of expression, creativity, AND innovation and provide remedies that properly protect intellectual property while also providing for access to information.
Many of the groups represented at the Public Knowledge lunch will continue engaging with TPP intellectual property negotiators and other stakeholders at the Direct Stakeholder Engagement Event on Saturday, May 12.
Rashmi Rangnath, Public Knowledge Director of the Global Knowledge Iniatiative and Assistant USTR Christine Turner
