Tell the US Trade Representative that strong-arming countries into US law isn't what you want

by Matt Lee Contributions — Published on Feb 17, 2012 06:16 PM

Sign a petition from our friends at Public Knowledge, telling the USTR to be wary of the interests of large media companies who don't represent the interests of most people in the US.

Recently, as they do every year, the US Trade Representative compiles a list called the "Special 301 Report" -- essentially a list of other countries who aren't trying hard enough when it comes to enforcing American copyright laws locally.

Where does this list come from? Well, the big media companies and trade organizations such as the RIAA and MPAA tell the USTR which countries they think should be added, and why, and the USTR seems to take these comments at face value, despite opposing comments from not-for-profit organizations that seek to redress the copyright balance.

We've seen recently what laws like SOPA and PIPA would do to a free internet, and if passed, documents like the "Special 301 Report" could be used to enforce those kinds of regulations on other countries.