ACTA Draft Text Released: (Nearly) Same As It Ever Was by Michael Geist

As the ACTA negotiating countries promised, a draft consolidated text was released earlier today. Unlike the earlier leaked version which provided specific attribution to country positions, this official version has removed references to those positions, so the text does not state who supports which version of the text. Those interested in deciphering that bigger picture, should look at the official release alongside the leaked version.While there is still considerable disagreement – lots of square brackets indicating areas where the text has not achieved consensus – the countries did make some progress last week in New Zealand. There will be another round of negotiations in June in Switzerland, followed by at least two more rounds in the fall. The target remains the end of 2010 to conclude a deal, but there will still need to be considerable compromise. Moreover, the continuing position of the U.S. and E.U. that they will not change their domestic laws will have to change since there are too many inconsistencies for both to be right.
http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/4972/125/Also see:iiNet plays down ACTA draft
iiNet chief regulatory officer, Steve Dalby, has poured cold water on so-called “conspiracy theories” about the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA).While he had not made a detailed study of the draft, he said the document appears to have little influence on Australian law, a suggestion echoed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) which has represented Australia in the plurilateral trade agreement.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/344246/iinet_plays_down_acta_draft/