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New Zealand unveils IP measures required for TPP ratification

Xinhua, March 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

The New Zealand government Wednesday outlined changes planned for the country's intellectual property (IP) regime in order to ratify the disputed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal.

Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith released a consultation document and encouraged the public to have their say before legislation was introduced to Parliament sometime this year.

"While most of the provisions are consistent with New Zealand's existing intellectual property settings, some changes to our laws will be required before we can ratify the final agreement," Goldsmith said in a statement.

The changes included a revised regime for technological protection measures, or digital locks; patent term extensions in certain situations when there were unreasonable delays in examining the patent or getting regulatory approval; a more extensive performers' rights regime; and new powers for Customs to detain goods that infringed copyright or registered trademarks.

"The TPP economies are worth 28 trillion U.S. dollars and open New Zealand companies up to a customer base of 800 million people," Goldsmith said.

Trade representatives of the 12 TPP nations signed the agreement in Auckland last month, but it is believed it will take up to two years to come into force.

Critics say the agreement will undermine sovereignty by allowing multi-national corporations to sue governments for policies and regulations that impinge on their profits. Endit