TPP: signed

[Marie at OpenMedia]

Members of Internet Advice Tips , Yesterday, despite mass worldwide public opposition, 11 countries just signed a modified version of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in Chile.1 In Canada, there’s been a massive outcry for transparency since the early TPP days. But the government continues to negotiate the deal in secret, ignoring citizens’ voices and best interests. As revealed in our crowdsourced Let’s Talk TPP Citizens’ Report, an overwhelming majority of Canadians who partook in the government’s public consultation called for legislators to reject the TPP.2 Sadly, the consultation was mostly a public relations exercise. But the good news is: our pressure made some major improvements to the agreement. Problematic intellectual property provisions, which would have cost us millions of dollars, robbed our public domain and raised the costs of medicine, were suspended from the CPTPP by insistence of the Canadian government,3 who was in turn heavily influenced by the public.4 Speaking out does make a difference. And if we keep up the pressure, the government has no choice but to listen to citizens and have their voices reflected in the agreement. The original intellectual property provisions in the TPP posed a serious threat for our digital rights and free expression. Even though the final version of the CPTPP is far from perfect, we should be proud that we've managed to improve it in terms of digital rights. And it's thanks to the voices of people like you! This is not the end — the CPTPP still needs to be ratified by at least six member countries before it comes into effect. Plus, there are discussions of the U.S. rejoining the deal down the line, where we could see some of the worst provisions in the agreement come back to life.5 Therefore, we must stay vigilant to ensure this hard won battle isn’t in vain. Will you share this with your friends and ask them to join the movement to make free expression stronger and ensure that future trade negotiations are transparent and put citizens in the driver’s seat? SHARE ON FACEBOOK SHARE ON TWITTER The more people we have on our side to fight for democratic, open trade processes, the more pressured our government will be to listen to our voices and truly embrace the so-called “progressive trade” they claim to be committed to. Thank you for everything you do, Marie, on behalf of the OpenMedia team P.S.: The battle against the TPP has been one of the longest ones we’ve fought, and the work doesn’t end here. Will you chip in to help us fight the next battle on the TPP and other trade deals to ensure Canadians’ rights are a top priority? Footnotes [1] Canada, 10 other nations sign landmark TPP deal — without U.S.: Global News [2] Let’s Talk TPP Citizens’ Report: Rebuilding Public Trust In Trade Processes: OpenMedia [3] Rethinking IP in the TPP: Canadian Government Plays Key Role in Suspending Unbalanced Patent and Copyright Rules: Michael Geist [4] Statement by Minister of International Trade on successful conclusion of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership: Government of Canada [5] Mnuchin Floats Rejoining Trans-Pacific Partnership, Trade Deal Trump Shelved: New York Times

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