As our intellectual property laws are increasingly regulated by rules set in international agreements, the processes by which we negotiate, approve and enter into those agreements is of crucial importance. The move away from open, multilateral fora to secret trade-based treaties has added to the complexities of ensuring appropriate IP policies.
The ADA and Australian Libraries Copyright Committee (ALCC) made 16 suggestions to improve the treaty making process to the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee Inquiry into the Commonwealth’s treaty-making process.