And you’re right – it is unfair.

Saying criminal actions (whatever kind they are, including identity thieves) represent the actions of a whole country is utterly ridiculous and defies logic and common sense.

By that logic, you could say all of the U.S. are warmongers and torturers.

I am sorry, Neal, I’m simply ready to believe almost any calumny of your countrymen because certain Canadian pharmacy representatives steal my identity in order to try to sell me (and my friends) products to improve the appearance and functioning of parts I do not possess (and do not wish to possess).

That is no doubt unfair, but allegedly Canadian pharmacy salespersons are interfering with my privacy, my peace of mind, and my ability to enjoy peaceful email communications with my friends.

They say they are Canadian. That’s why I believe they are Canadian. When your countrymen spam my desktop, in my home, in whatever country I live in, they ought to be subject to the laws of wherever they are trespassing.

Maybe if Canada could denounce the pharma spam, we’d all be happier.

The IIPA, the lead U.S. lobbyist on international IP matters, has issued a press release on the USTR Special 301 report, welcoming the inclusion of Canada on the Priority Watch List. Yet the release inadvertently demonstrates why the designation is so absurd. Included at the end are the estimated software piracy percentages for each country on the list. While the BSA claims are themselves subject to challenge, compare Canada to the remainder of the list. Canada comes in at 32%. The remaining countries (no rates are listed for Algeria, Israel, or Venezuela):

Country BSA Claimed Piracy Rate
Argentina 75%
Chile 66%
India 66%
Indonesia 86%
Pakistan 85%
China 79%
Russia 70%
Thailand 76%

Not only is Canada not even remotely close to any other country on the list, it has the lowest software piracy rate of any of the 46 countries in the entire Special 301 Report. Moreover, it is compliant with its international IP obligations, participates in ACTA, has prosecuted illegal camcording, has the RCMP prioritizing IP matters, has statutory damages provisions, features far more copyright collectives than the U.S., and has a more restrictive fair dealing/fair use provision.

I will simply say this – the people who put Canada on this list are liars.

Anyone who supports this charade is a liar.

The ESA are liars.

You, Patrick Ross, are a LIAR.

You owe me, and everyone else in Canada, a public apology.

So do the people who put Canada on this list.

Don’t you know that American law supersedes all other international law?

That if other countries don’t follow American law, they’re not American and should be bombed?

HOW DARE YOU, Patrick, have the gall to think you have the right to implement your personal money-grubbing schemes over the sovereign rights of other countries.

You really need to check your ego at the door kid, because this kind of thing just sparks trade wars.

You want to target us? Fine.

No more oil.

No more natural gas.

Have fun in winter.

Arrogant would be lecturing a country that has chosen not to sign trade agreements, and thus has chosen to forfeit the benefits that come from mutual enforcement provisions.