Australia To Adopt U.S.-Style Copyright Laws

An anonymous reader submits "Australia has just announced that it has finalized a Free Trade Agreement with the United States. Included in the treaty is an agreement for Australia to implement American-style DMCA copyright laws, extensions to the term of copyright, and an agreement to move towards American-style patent and trademark laws (and we all know how well those work, don't we.) I suppose this is the misery-loves-company school of treaty negotiation."

Comments

I blame Europe

[Anonymous Coward]

The US started down this dark road because of the Berne convention.

Re:Not through yet

[subStance]

Um ... well I think the following suggests not everyone is convinced about the pharma situation being ok

From Sydney Morning Herald. Quarantine standards would be downgraded, Americans would be able to circumvent investment rules and American drug companies would get the opportunity to override the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme that provides cheap drugs to Australians, the Greens said.

And when was the last time the senate actually protected us from Howard's ass kissing ? We're not better off than the American public are with Bush.

Americans keep talking about "Checks and balances" being the alternative to Dictatorial style government. The proof is in the pudding ....

Isn't it ironic?

[Anonymous Coward]

The country where ex-cons were sent are adopting laws by an imperialistic 1984 style government

This is just so fucked

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm apoplectic! John Howard, just stop licking Bush's arse!!!

Offtopic: Shocking lack of financial benefits

[bettiwettiwoo]

I mean geez, Howard, if you're going to send troops to Iraq to support an unpopular war, couldn't you at least get some financial benefit from it?

You're right: what's the point of ridding a country from a vicious dictator who brutalizes his own population, destroys the environment, instigates war and supports terrorism unless you actually get some financial benefit from it?!? Even personal financial benefit would do. That's the proper way to run a country. The Howard way is just pathetic. I am shocked! Shocked! To realize to realize that that sort of thing is going on in this day and age!

Re:Singapore Already on board

[Excen]

Singapore? Who gives a damn if Singapore is tightening "justice". If I remember correctly, the last time Singapore was in (American) National News was when that kid spraypainted a few cars. They punished the asshat by beating his sorry ass with a very large bamboo cane!!! It's not like they can get any stricter.

/mark me funny and give me my points

Re:Why does New Zealand want one?

[Anonymous Coward]

ROFL, ur just jealous that NZ is a 2nd rate country living in the shadows of the USA!

USA USA USA USA!

I also hope u dont get ur trade agreement with the USA. We can spend our money elsewhere, probably get a better deal, and know that the ppl we are doing business with appreciate our generousity.

USA = Crap, Australia = Crap!

[Cackmobile]

The US is only for free trade when it favours them. The force small countries to open up their markets but do not open up their own. Australia is just as bad but in this case we are the small country. John Howard = George W = Big shiny knobs

Re:Beginning of a frightening trend?

[Anonymous Coward]

You've got to be kidding. The Dutch don't pay shit into the EU, the UK, France and Germany, however, do. You can sit there being a poorer country and watch your country prosper because of it, but the already big countries are only going to decline because of the poorer countries comming in, and sponging off the rich.

FUCK THAT.