``unreasonable'' practices include any act, policy or practice which
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The United States has consulted repeatedly with the Government of Ukraine regarding the matters under investigation. The Government of Ukraine has made very little progress in addressing two key issues: (1) the use of existing law enforcement tools to stop the current piracy, and (2) the introduction of an optical media licensing regime (which has become the international norm) to prevent a subsequent resurgence of pirate activity. Accordingly, on the basis of the investigation initiated under section 302 of the Trade Act, the comments received, and the consultations, the Trade Representative has determined pursuant to sections 301(b) and 304(a)(1)(A) of the Trade Act that the acts, policies and practices of Ukraine with respect to the protection of intellectual policy rights are unreasonable and burden or restrict U.S. commerce, and are thus actionable under section 301(b).
It's amazing that such an abstract and arcane issue makes me so angry. I mean, other people have their own political issues, which are not necessarily related to punishing the Ukraine for resisting "the introduction of an optical media licensing regime".
I'm mostly angry because I was tricked into believing -- for years and years -- that the U.S. government and trade treaty organizations actually wanted to promote free trade.
It's not true. They want to promote harmonization of national laws.
It doesn't mean that they want to get rid of borders. It doesn't mean that they want to get rid of regulation or legislation in general. It doesn't mean that they want to allow the free movement of goods (or people!). It's still about political power!
I am very angry.
