ARTICLE · 23 MAY 2012

ACTA: The Public Revolt

Ladas & Parry

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The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is the latest and most far-reaching attempt to harmonize intellectual property enforcement and strengthen anti-counterfeiting efforts across the globe. As of May 2012, the European Union and 22 of its 27 member states have joined Australia, Canada, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States as signatories of ACTA.

United StatesIntellectual Property

Stacy Wu

The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is the latest and most far-reaching attempt to harmonize intellectual property enforcement and strengthen anti-counterfeiting efforts across the globe. As of May 2012, the European Union and 22 of its 27 member states have joined Australia, Canada, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United States as signatories of ACTA. Yet, the outlook for ratification by the May 1, 2013 deadline appears dismal. Mexico dropped out of early negotiations and is unlikely to sign, and in February 2012, the EU suspended ratification following widespread protests across Europe and riots in Poland. Effectively, ACTA has been declared dead on arrival.

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