Intellectual Property News

Report Notes Continued Progress on Intellectual Property Rights

WASHINGTON – The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative today released its "Special 301" annual report on the adequacy and effectiveness of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection provided by trading partners around the world. The report identifies governments who need to take stronger actions to combat piracy and counterfeiting, for example, by cracking down on illegal optical disc production and Internet piracy, or stepping up border enforcement against trade in fake goods. Concerns regarding China and Russia feature prominently throughout the report.

"As one of the world’s leading innovators, the United States places significant emphasis on intellectual property protection and enforcement," said U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman. "Safeguarding our creations and innovations is a key element of our trade competitiveness, but it is also in the interest of our trading partners to strengthen their IPR regimes."

"This report acknowledges the positive steps that several of our trading partners have taken to strengthen IPR protection over the past year," continued Portman. "However, more needs to be done. Our review reveals a continuing need for improvements, particularly with the implementation of effective protection and enforcement against piracy and counterfeiting."  Read more at ustr.gov

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	Did You Know?
	Gatt sets a standard of norms to follow. All GATT member-countries calls for rewriting their national laws to conform to internationally agreed standards for protecting patents, copyrights, trademarks, industrial designs, and trade secrets.