TPP includes provisions for ISPs to block content: WikiLeaks

Online information leaker WikiLeaks published on Friday what it said were parts of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) that reveal provisions for Internet service providers to block access to content subject to copyright restrictions. The text presented by WikiLeaks dealt with intellectual property portions of the TPP, which Canada and 11 other countries announced on Monday they had agreed to. The leaked document says countries in the TPP are to create "legal incentives for Internet Service Providers to cooperate with copyright owners to deter the unauthorized storage and transmission of copyrighted materials or ... to take other action to deter the unauthorized storage and transmission of copyrighted materials." The agreement, as presented by WikiLeaks, says that in order for ISPs to be exempt from responsibility for unauthorized online use of content, they need to "remove or disable access to material residing on their networks or systems upon obtaining actual knowledge of the infringement or becoming aware of facts or circumstances from which the infringement is apparent, such as through receiving a notice of alleged infringement from the right holder or a person authorized to act on its behalf." François Lasalle, a spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, said an email Friday that the TPP "reflects Canada’s current notice-and-notice regime, which is an effective approach to addressing online infringement." He would not, however, confirm the authenticity of the WikiLeaks posting. Under the notice-and-notice rule, which came into effect in January, ISPs have to forward to subscribers copyright infringement notices sent to them by rights holders. The leaked text also indicated, as has been long suspected, that the TPP extends the copyright term of works to 70 years after the creator's death from 50 years. Lasalle confirmed this fact on Friday, saying it applies "all artists, including authors, visual artists and filmmakers, contributes to protecting their interests and their work." University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist said in a blog post Friday that the TPP introduces "significant changes to Canadian copyright law without an opportunity for public comment or discussion." — With reporting by Derek Abma at dabma@thewirereport.ca and editing by Shruti Shekar at sshekar@thewirereport.ca

TPP includes provisions for ISPs to block content: WikiLeaks

Broadcast | October 9, 2015

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

TPP includes provisions for ISPs to block content: WikiLeaks

Broadcast | October 9, 2015

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Related Stories

Canadian media companies sue OpenAI for copyright infringement, could cost $322 billion

Coordinated effort is ‘essential’ in tackling AI policy issues, says Canadian Digital Regulators Forum

Government working with AI researcher Mila on governing use of cultural content

Copyright Board joins Canadian Digital Regulators Forum

Reuse & Permissions

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us