Why Turkey Should Take Another Step Forward Against Counterfeiting And Sign Acta (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)?

On October 1, 2011, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan held the signing ceremony for the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) in Tokyo. The United States, Australia, Canada, Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Morocco, and Singapore signed the Agreement on the ceremony day, noting that effective enforcement of intellectual property rights is vital to sustaining economic growth across all industries and globally. By signing the Agreement, the parties also noted that the proliferation of counterfeit and pirated goods, as well as of services that distribute infringing material, undermines legitimate trade and sustainable development of world economy, causes significant financial losses for right holders and legitimate businesses, and in some cases, provides a source of revenue for organized crime and otherwise poses risks to the public. Pointing out such important issues, the parties aim for an international cooperation and more effective international enforcement.