Tech Giants Call For TPP Copyright Restrictions that Override Democracy

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Tech Giants Call For TPP Copyright Restrictions that Override Democracy

May 10th, 2016

Awake Goy

Susanne Posel ,Chief Editor Occupy Corporatism | Media Spokesperson, HEALTH MAX Brands

There is mounting concern over the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Dean Baker, co-director of CEPR, has pointed out one big problem in a new op-ed piece .

Baker said the TPP is like “a piñata that is chock full of special deals for the corporate interests who negotiated it” because it “creates rules that potentially override democratic decision-making at all levels of government.”

For example, Baker points to Silicon Valley turning into a desolate corporate dessert thanks to Article 18.78 of the TPP “which requires countries to have laws allowing companies to protect trade secrets and imposing criminal penalties for violators.”

Via non-compete contracts, the TPP explicitly describes denying “workers the ability to change jobs” which could only benefit tech giants like Facebook or Google who are financially strained every time an ex-employee builds a start-up to compete.

As far as digital copyright, the TPP “will standardize copyright terms lengths to a minimum term of the life of the author plus 70 years.”

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) warns that “this would effectively set the maximum duration of copyright holders’ monopoly rights to over 140 years” which would be a new precedent never before seen.

The TPP calls for “countries have criminal penalties for copyright violations”.

Baker jokes : “At a time when there is a bipartisan consensus to reduce the size of the prison population, President Obama wants to throw people in jail for circulating unauthorized copies of Batman movies or Taylor Swift songs.”

In an open letter , 13 tech industry companies have taken to encouraging presidential candidate on becoming more supportive of the TPP while also asking for favoritism in issues concerning cybersecurity, intellectual property rights and corporate innovation.

Regarding the trade deal, companies like Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, Uber, and IBM are asking the future president of the US to solidify their accord with the TPP in an effort to install key points of interest:

Immigration reform for highly skilled foreign workers
Improve industry right to acquire foreign workers and professional to supplement the US workforce

The letter warns: “Our nation’s technological strength is the product of investment of human resources, ingenuity, and capital in advancing progress for all,” the letter stated. “As representatives of America’s most innovative sector, we believe firmly that our greatest breakthroughs lie ahead. We respectfully propose the following policy recommendations, and offer our time, energy, and creativity in support of America’s future.”

Hillary Clinton told Face the Nation that American needs “to be smart” on trade. She is called for “a Trade Prosecutor to report directly to the president, because [America] can’t wait until somebody takes advantage of our markets.”