The TPP is 'free trade' in appearance only [View all]

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The TPP is 'free trade' in appearance only
BY YVES ENGLER | NOVEMBER 16, 2015


The hypocrisy of "free market" advocates is astounding. While they trumpet increased competition and the elimination of state imposed barriers as a means of spurring economic advancement, they ignore how the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and other "free trade" accords increase monopolistic intellectual property provisions.

In a recent CTV interview on the TPP, Carleton business professor Ian Lee began by saying we've known for three centuries that "free trade" increases wealth while a Maclean's editorial "celebrating" the accord noted "as with most things, the best sort of trade is free: free from tariffs, restrictions and other government-imposed barriers."

But the TPP significantly strengthens many "government-imposed barriers" to free exchange. The recently negotiated accord harmonizes intellectual property provisions upwards across the 12 nation zone. In Canada the deal will increase the length of copyright from 50 to 70 years after the death of an author. It will also increase (corporate) copyright holders' capacity to compel Internet Service Providers to block content on websites and to pursue individuals who transfer content they own between devices or upload/repost highlights from trademarked work such as professional sports.

The TPP will also extend drug patent protections. Brand-name pharmaceutical companies in Canada will be given patent term restoration to compensate for time lost during the drug approval process. ...............(more)

http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/yves-engler/2015/11/tpp-free-trade-appearance-only