Statement from USTR Spokesman Sean Spicer on Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA)
June 5, 2008
Participants in discussions on the proposed Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement met at the U.S. Mission in Geneva June 3-4. This was one of a series of meetings through which the participants plan to develop different aspects of the agreement. A number of topics were discussed. The main focus of the discussion was border measures, particularly how to deal with large-scale intellectual property infringements, which can frequently involve criminal elements and pose a threat to public health and safety. Participants considered the discussions useful and are satisfied with the progress to date.
Participants will continue their substantive work over the coming months in a focused manner. They tentatively scheduled their next meeting for mid-July, and expect to continue discussions on border enforcement while also exploring other areas, such as civil enforcement. Participants discussed future engagement with stakeholders and agreed to proceed with such engagement at the domestic level and to identify opportunities for further engagement in the future.
Participants included Australia, Canada, the European Union (represented by the European Commission and Member States, including the EU Presidency (Slovenia)), Japan, Jordan, Korea, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.”
Original USTR Press Release (PDF): https://web.archive.org/web/20090506042303/http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2008/June/asset_upload_file757_14938.pdf