Last week, there were reports that the EU trade policy folks had decided to stand up for ACTA transparency, and now it looks like they’re really doing it. As various reports are noting, a joint resolution was put forth by nearly all party groups in the EU Parliament demanding that ACTA negotiations be opened up. It also goes further, demanding that there be a ban on imposing “three strikes” laws included as well and a promise that ACTA will not impose personal searches at the border. This is tremendous news, and if this gets approved, it could reshape ACTA in a positive way. But, of course, let’s see how the US reacts. While repeatedly insisting that it wasn’t the US that was trying to keep negotiations secret, at this point, it looks like the only countries that are actively opposed to transparency in negotiations remain South Korea and Singapore — with the US remaining silent. This would be the time at which the USTR needs to stand up and either open up the negotiations or admit that it’s the reason they’ve been so secretive all along.
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