Quick follow-up on an article I posted in some newsbits last evening.

NDP MP Charlie Angus has asked that that WIPO treaty be brought to parliament for debate before any ratifying and especially before any copyright legislation is put through.

WIPO is an agency within the United Nations, of which Canada is a member, whose purpose is to purpose “to encourage creative activity, [and] to promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world.” Angus’ logic is that Canada should ratify the upcoming Internet treaties (which deal with online intellectual property worldwide) before passing any copyright bills before parliament.

The Conservative government recently followed through on a 2006 election promise pledging to table treaties in the House before ratification. As Michael Geist specifies: “The treaties will be accompanied by an explanatory memorandum and given at least 21 sitting days for debate.” So, I guess you could say it’s time to “put up.”

What needs to be done is determine the pertinence of the WIPO treaties. After all, Angus does mention the archaic nature of the organisation in his press release, whose policies he claims are stuck in the 21st century. Not to mention that most intellectual property standard-setting has been shifted from WIPO to the World Trade Organisation.

So if Industry Minister Jim Prentice wants to put the Conservative’s pledge to the test, now would be the perfect time to do it.