Transparency on Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement
Media release
22 April 2010
Trade Minister Simon Crean today announced the release of the negotiating text of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA).
The full text is available at www.dfat.gov.au and is the text as it stands after eight rounds of negotiations.
The joint release of the negotiating text was agreed by all 11 participants in the talks.
Australia has been a strong advocate of increased transparency in the ACTA negotiations.
"I welcome the release of the text which will further inform debate about international efforts to combat counterfeiting," Mr Crean said.
"The text will allow all Australians to evaluate the various proposals being put forward by negotiating parties."
Counterfeiting and piracy are serious issues with real consequences for many sectors of the Australian economy. The OECD reports that international trade in counterfeit and pirated goods is growing rapidly, with an estimated value up to US$250 billion in 2007.
Australia has advocated throughout the negotiations for an approach which reflects the balance in our own intellectual property regime.
ACTA is about strengthening international protection against counterfeiting and piracy, which have real commercial implications for Australian exporters, Australian creators and Australian creative businesses.
"This is an issue in which Australia has a strong interest if we are to build an innovative, knowledge based economy," Mr Crean said.
Parties have affirmed their aim of concluding negotiations in 2010.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has conducted ongoing consultations with interested stakeholders since February 2008.
The 11 participants in the ACTA negotiations are Australia, Canada, EU, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland and the US.
The next round of negotiations is due to be held in June, 2010, in Switzerland.
The full address for the text is http://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/acta/index.html.
Media inquiries
- Trade Minister's Office: (02) 6277 7420
- Departmental Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555