Explanatory Statement Made by Portuguese MEP Sérgio Ribeiro Regarding IP Enforcement Directive Vote

Unofficial English translation courtesy of Rui Miguel Seabra

Vote declaration of Sérgio Ribeiro
9/3/2004

This report is about a delicate theme, by its justification and implications.

As we stand, we're undoubtedly against piracy and counterfeiting, defending rules that promote the utilization at the same time loyal and free of discoveries and inventions that are of humanity.

Thus, from the beginning, one has to consider the object of protection in the name of property. Should, or not, copyright, trademarks and patents deserve the same treatment?

Rejecting intransigently the abusive appropriation and comercialization of human knowledge, humanity's patrimony, we admit it is hard to find balance between the legitimate right of property and social benefit, collective of the good. That, however, is the principle.

If the mechanisms of protection of this rights must not stop commerce and use, they may not, as well, be too lax permitting or promoting piracy and conterfeiting.

Our Porto wine, and other origin names to preserve/create, are examples because of what they represent in terms of patrimony that, being universal, is also local, national, and, in the name of spurious liberalization, one may cause serious economical, social and cultural consequences.

And we're not yet talking about health.

The rapporteur was cautious. In this subject, caution is good counsel. However, the rejection of amendments, namely those related to the "federalist" tendency, where this caution was absent, made us vote against.