SAA Opposes Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement Provisions

Issue Brief: Archivists and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement

This issue brief was drafted by the Society of American Archivists’ Intellectual Property Working Group, was reviewed by the SAA Committee on Advocacy and Public Policy, and was approved by the SAA Council on September 28, 2015.

SAA POSITION

The Society of American Archivists (SAA) opposes secret negotiations conducted without public consultation or debate that affect access to information. SAA opposes the following provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement:

• Any further extension of copyright terms.
• Lack of recognition of the importance of the public domain.
• Imposition of statutory damages.
• Extension of anti-circumvention rules without exceptions for fair use and non-infringing uses.
• Lack of penalty for the misuse of copyright enforcement powers.

SAA Will:

• To the extent possible, monitor the progress of TPP negotiations;
• Work with other organizations concerned about the negative impact of the TPP; and
• Advocate against TPP provisions that impede or undermine the archival mission.

For the full brief, including background on the issues, see:

http://www2.archivists.org/statements/saa-opposes-trans-pacific-partnership-agreement-provisions