Managing Intellectual Property

Negotiators reach impasse over ACTA

19 July 2010

Emma Barraclough, London

Disagreement between the EU and the US over the scope of any Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) became clear this week, after the EU’s chief negotiator said he “strongly disagreed” with proposals that it only cover copyright and trade marks

"I think that this is a red line. If we do not manage to get designs and geographical indications included then I really ask myself what would be the great benefit of this Agreement," EU trade commissioner Karel De Gucht told the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs on Tuesday.

Europe wants any deal to extend to geographical indications and design rights, areas where it has a particular competitive advantage over many of its negotiating partners.

"The problem is that several of our partners insist that only copyright and trade marks deserve to be included in ACTA," De Gucht said. "We...



Only subscribers have complete access to Managing IP Magazine, log in or subscribe now.

Alternatively take a free trial, giving you 48-hour access to Managing IP Magazine (some articles and surveys may be excluded).

Subscribe Now

This article is available to subscribers. Please click subscribe to read the rest of the article.

Subscribe

Take a free trial

Please take a free 48-hour trial to gain limited access. Some articles and surveys may be excluded.

Take a free trial


February 2012

Patent survey 2012

Managing IP ranks the leading patent firms around the world



Most read articles

Poll

Will the new post grant and inter partes review proceedings result in more litigators practising pro hac vice before the USPTO?







Supplements