When we last left off, Canada had passed the Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, which essentially tosses fair use out the proverbial window and allows that calls for searching for and confiscation of all technology that contains suspected pirated music and movies. Essentially, travelers crossing the border of Canada will have to submit to an inspection of all personal media platforms, laptops, and anything else that could contain pirated movies and music. Travelers with infringing content would be subject to a fine and may have their devices confiscated or destroyed.

The Treaty, which has been aggressively pursued and lobbied by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), is yielding tremendous dividends for their brib … er … lobbying efforts since the secretly negotiated agreement was adopted at last month’s G8 Summit between the nations of the United States, the European Commission, Japan, Switzerland, New Zealand, South Korea, Canada, and Mexico. And now, Australia is in the act, as well.

Will life for international travelers become a digital version of Midnight Express? Fortunately the treaty has to undergo ratification by Congress here in the United States, so there’s still time to scuttle it by contacting your local representatives. But the serious question here is, how on earth will this draconian measure be enforced without abuse or flat out mistakes in determining if a music track is legally owned?

And the fact that Canada has already gotten the ball rolling and Australia is picking up the ball doesn’t bode well for the freedom to use the songs and movies we buy as we see fit.

Those concerned can contact IPac or the EFF for more information.

Hat Tip and photo credit - DVice