US tries to export DMCA to Australia


An article from the Voice of America news service mentions the passage (by the US Senate) and the signature (by President Bush) of the United States-Australia Free Trade Agreement. It also mentions that the Australian Senate isn't keen on it in its current form but leaves out information reported by CNet that the deal would require changes in copyright laws in Australia.

Section 17, in particular, outlines a whole series of requirements, many of which Australia already meets, but some of which impose DMCA-like requirements on our 10th largest trading partner.

The agreement acknowledges that such laws don't yet exist in Australia, but that they will be enacted within two years from the effective date of the agreement.