Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade | 195 Lambton Quay, Private Bag 18 901, Wellington 5045, New Zealand
Ph +64 4 439 8000, | Email:info at mfat.govt.nz
Treaty Type:
Bilateral/Plurilateral
Common Name:
ACTA
Responsible Department:
Business Innovation and Employment
Administering Department:
Business Innovation and Employment
Treaty Summary:
ACTA is concerned with the enforcement of intellectual property rights, and in particular enforcement of copyright and trademarks rights against trafficking in pirated copyright works and goods bearing counterfeited trademarks. The objective of ACTA is to establish a common standard for intellectual property rights, particularly in the context of counterfeiting and piracy. The provisions of ACTA are organised into three main categories:
International Cooperation, including sharing information and cooperation between law enforcement authorities, including Customs and other relevant agencies;
Enforcement Practices that promote strong intellectual property protection in cooperation with right holders and partners and fosters a climate of active and effective enforcement; and
A Legal Framework, that contains provisions designed to ensure that authorities and right holders have appropriate tools for strong intellectual property rights enforcement. The legal framework includes measures concerning: criminal enforcement; border measures; civil enforcement; internet distribution; and circumvention of technology protection measures.
NZ Adherence Status:
In Progress
Negotiation Status:
Not in force. ACTA cannot enter into force until six of the countries that signed the agreement also ratify it. If that occurs, each of the countries that ratify ACTA will then be bound by its provisions. As at July 2014, only one signatory (Japan) has ratified ACTA.
New Zealand signed ACTA on 1 October 2011. No decision has been made as to whether or not New Zealand will ratify ACTA.
Organisation:
Is Signed By NZ:
Yes
Signature Date:
11/10/2011
Ratified or Signed:
No
Requires Ratification:
Yes
NZ Territorial Applications:
None
Information about required Legislation:
-
Impacts on Maori:
ACTA may have implications for Māori businesses that own copyright and/or trademark rights but is unlikely to have wider impacts.
Impacts on Stakeholders:
Likely interest groups are expected to include New Zealand businesses that own copyright and trademark rights and intellectual property rights professionals, such as: trade mark agents; patent attorney firms; New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys; law practitioners and law firms that provide advice on copyright and trade mark protection; and the New Zealand Law Society.
Link To Legislation:
Treaty Text Link:
Contact Information:
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