Slashdot Mirror
U.S. Announces Global Intellectual Property Plan
Angry_Admin writes "ZDNet is running a story about how the U.S. has announced new plans to expand its crackdown on intellectual-property infringement overseas. From the article:'One program would place intellectual property experts on the ground in regions where infringement is considered a concern. There they would work with overseas U.S. businesses and native government officials to advocate improved intellectual-property rights protection, according to a department fact sheet. Another program, called the Global Intellectual Property Rights Academy, would train foreign judges, enforcement officials and other stakeholders in international intellectual property obligations and best practices.'"
This sounds like the biggest wankfest ever. We're sending over advisors??? Exactly what good does the administration think this is going to do? Hey George, if you're gonna send in the Planeteers, don't forget Ma-ti...he's got the power of Heart, after all...
I'm so glad my tax money is being squandered on this joke, rather than going to something worthwhile, like...say...Katrina relief.
____
~ |rip/\/\aster /\/\onkey
If the Chinese gov't isn't willing to enforce the preservation of US intellectual property rights, then the US ought not have to export machinery and machine parts, integrated circuits, or soybeans to them -- oh wait -- that's much of the raw materials needed by their entire economy.
It's called a squeeze play. Develop the technology yourself, and it's yours, but steal it from others, regardless of national boundaries, and be prepared to suffer the consequences of a global economic market.
Rule #1 -- Politics always trumps technology.
This isn't the issue in question. They are wantonly violating their own laws, as well as internation laws that they have agreed to abide by. When America or the UK does this, the world is on our collective asses in the heartbeat. The detainment of terrorists in Gitmo has been cited non-stop by Americans, Europeans, and the UN as a violation of both American due process and international law. The Abu Graibh torture has been heavily scrutinized as a violation of international treaties to which the US is a party. When our government breaks its own rules, or violates treaties, or just declines to even SIGN a treaty that makes everybody feel good, we are blasted, attacked, flamed, maligned, insulted, and accused of being selfish, greedy, and whatever other invective you'd like.
But when we want to send legal experts to CONSULT WITH legal experts in other nations and engage in training on IP law in those nations and in the international arena, we're somehow being a bunch of pricks forcing American federalism on other nations. These programs are about nothing of the sort. I don't think it's a bunch of happy lawyers holding hands and cheering over how great it is to all cooperational internationally. Doubtless American businesses have been lobbying our reps to do something like this. But the level of hostility with which Slashdot is collectively reacting to this is vastly disproportionate to the severity of the issue.
Not to mention that not one of you guys has managed to figure out yet that the purpose of these people's "tours" is not to teach them about American law or why they should follow it but to engage in training on international and local law.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Bush fanbois defending this program. I have some criticisms of it and its purpose as well, but you guys just flap your gums about this shit without reading the article or understanding the issues or even considering, objectively, what is going on. Slashdot discussions about IP rights contain about as much intellectual merit as a dog slavering over a slice of bacon. Stimulus -> Response, you're as predictable as death and taxes.
"I have never won a debate with an ignorant person." -Ali ibn Abi Talib
I don't think I really want to live in this country (USA) any more.
Do you need anyone to drive you to the border?
A Government Is a Body of People, Usually Notably Ungoverned
I offer you five words: British East India Tea Company.
I bet more kids want to be thugs than a member of the British East India Tea Company.
Antibiotics are vaccines. They treat. They don't cure. Next time you think an antibiotic cures the common cold, wake up and smell the coffee. Antibiotics flush one's immune system and force the whiteblood cells to repopulate, hence kickstart by a complete system reset. They are a treatment.