More concern over Trans-Pacific Partnership

The Library and Information Association has joined a growing list of organisations concerned about possible changes to the country's copyright law under the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Fair Deal Association, whose members include the Foundation for the Blind and Institute of IT Professionals, says it's a sign of growing cross-sector unease over US copyright proposals.

Spokesman Vikram Kumar says the US is taking an extreme position that will require changes to New Zealand law that will have an impact on people and businesses on a daily basis.

"You know librarians are very sensible people and if they're concerned then I think many people in New Zealand should be concerned. There's a proposal that by passing technical arrangements to protect copyright for perfectly legal reasons such as people who are blind, or old libraries, that will no longer be allowed."

Vikram Kumar says it's unclear exactly what New Zealand will be giving away just to get better agricultural export access to the US under the partnership agreement, because negotiations are being held in secret.

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