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Google Announces Support of the Controversial TPP (recode.net)

Posted by BeauHD on from the controversial-announcements dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Google has announced in a blog post Friday their support for the controversial Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership (TPP). Recode reports: "The trade agreement includes key provisions about the global passage of digital data, intellectual property and copyright -- measures that have drawn criticism from both the political right and left, including several outspoken tech groups. Google's endorsement isn't exactly full-throated, but its stake clearly demonstrates another key area of support with the Obama administration, to which Google is close." Google's SVP and general counsel Kent Walker wrote: "The TPP is not perfect, and the trade negotiation process would certainly benefit from greater transparency. We will continue to advocate for process reforms, including the opportunity for all stakeholders to have a meaningful opportunity for input into trade negotiations." The company has already shown support of the TPP behind the Internet Association, which endorsed the trade agreement in March. Google joins a list of other tech titans, like Apple and Microsoft, who have shown their support as well. The Electronic Frontier Foundation calls the TPP a "secretive, multinational trade agreement" that will restrict IP laws and enforce digital policies that "benefit big corporations at the expense of the public." The TPP is still awaiting congressional approval after being signed in February.

4 of 231 comments (clear)

  1. No suprise by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The TPP was written by corporations, for corporations. No surprise that Google supports it. We need a revolution in this country.

    1. Re:No suprise by MrKaos · · Score: 5, Insightful

      We need a revolution in this country.

      Here's your problem. Most of the millennials, who are being screwed the hardest by this unholy alliance of corporations and government, have never even handled a gun. Basically, we're screwed.

      Stop being so damn defeatist. You don't need a gun and you don't need violence, you need a pen. All you need to do, en masse, is get off your lazy ass and start lobbying politicians directly. Stop watching hours of moronic TV, get on your computer, fire up a word processor and start writing letters and tell them exactly what you want.

      All of these paid lobby groups are minorities gambling that you will continue to sit there and have that exact attitude. There is no need to troll the politicians, be respectful and they will listen as 1 letter means about 100 people think that way, to them. That means 100 votes, and votes are currency just as much as money is to a politician as 100 votes is enough to make a difference in an election. I have had unexpected success on issues with politicians just by telling the *how* to address my concerns.

      There is a reason why the adage goes The pen is mightier than the sword. Exercise your democratic right, stop whining and participate in your own future.

      --
      My ism, it's full of beliefs.
    2. Re:No suprise by Hairy1 · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Revolution does not mean violent revolution; we are talking about a political revolution. Of course, now that Sanders appears to have lost the nomination the only real chance is for the electorate to demand he run as an independent or for the Greens. I know he doesn't want to, but maybe the case can be made that he owes his country a real option.

      There will of course be people who whine about him 'splitting the vote', by which they mean giving people an actual choice to support a candidate that isn't a member of the One Party; the one bought and paid for by corporations. We thought Obama was that candidate. He wasn't. He lied.

  2. Google is out of their fucking minds by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Just like the 200+ comments on Hacker News, another news aggregation site with a very tech-savvy demo, you will have to look really hard to find anyone who supports the TPP.

    The EFF has written extensively how digital rights are negatively affected by this.

    The TPP is bad, bad, bad, and it's been fast tracked for passage with no debate/oversight. Hopefully there will be a SOPA-like outcry against it that shuts it down. All three Dem/GOP presidential candidates claim to be against it (but we'll see how long that lasts). Not sure about libertarian candidates.. somehow I suspect they'll take the more traditional "free trade" perspective, but maybe I'll be delightfully surprised.

    Too bad Google's on the wrong side of history here.