In July, the Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) proposed that for creating "an appropriate balance in their copyright systems in providing copyright exceptions and limitations for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research."

But that process is "open to interpretation" and doesn't give countries enough guidance on how to create fair-use rights, Rangnath said. Instead, fair use should be spelled out in the trade agreement, she added.

Public Knowledge is also concerned about (DRM).

A spokeswoman for the USTR defended the TPP negotiations, saying critics may be working off old copies of the proposed agreement. Copyright provisions were discussed extensively at the last negotiating round, in July, she said.

She also discounted concerns that TPP negotiators are not being transparent. The negotiating countries have encouraged outside participation in their meeting and have sought public comment on the trade deal, she noted.