[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 87 (Thursday, May 6, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 24438-24439] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-11425] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE Identification of Countries That Deny Adequate Protection, or Market Access, for Intellectual Property Rights Under Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative. ACTION: Identification of countries that deny adequate protection for intellectual property rights or market access for persons who rely on intellectual property protection. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The United States Trade Representative (USTR) is directed by section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (the Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. 2242), to identify those foreign countries that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights or deny fair and equitable market access to United States persons that rely upon intellectual property protection, and those foreign countries determined to be priority foreign countries. These identifications must be made within 30 days of the date on which the annual report is submitted to Congressional committees under section 181(b) of the Trade Act. They are presented below. DATES: These identifications took place on April 30, 1999. ADDRESSES: Office of the United States Trade Representative, 600 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20508. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Claude Burcky, Director for Intellectual Property, (202) 395-6864, Andrew Bowen, Deputy Director for Intellectual Property, (202) 395-6864, or Geralyn S. Ritter, Assistant General Counsel (202) 395-6800. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 182 of the Trade Act requires the USTR to identify within 30 days of the publication of the National Trade Estimates Report all trading partners that deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights or deny fair and equitable market access to United States persons that rely upon intellectual property protection. Those countries that have the most onerous or egregious acts, policies, or practices that have the greatest adverse impact (actual or potential) on the relevant United States products must be identified as ``priority foreign countries,'' unless they are entering into good faith negotiations or are making significant progress in bilateral or multilateral negotiations to provide adequate and effective protection for intellectual property rights. In identifying countries in this manner, the USTR is directed to take into account the history of intellectual property laws and practices of the foreign country, including any previous identifications as a priority foreign country, and the history of efforts of the United States, and the response of the foreign country, to achieve adequate and effective protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. In making these determinations, the USTR must consult with the Register of Copyrights, the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, other appropriate officials of the Federal Government and take into account information from other sources such as information submitted by interested persons. On April 30, 1999, the USTR identified 53 trading partners as failing to provide adequate and effective intellectual property protection and fair and equitable market access to persons who rely on such protection. In addition, China and Paraguay will be subject to continued monitoring under section 306 of the Trade Act. Sixteen trading partners were placed on the administratively- created ``priority watch list,'' including Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, the European Union, Greece, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Macao, Peru, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. Of these countries, at least Israel and Kuwait will be subject to an interim review in 1999. Thirty-seven countries were placed on the special 301 ``watch list,'' including Australia, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Hungary, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, U.A.E. (United Arab Emirates), Uruguay, Venezuela, and Vietnam. Of these, at least Colombia, the Czech Republic, Korea, Poland and South Africa will be subject to interim reviews during the coming year. The USTR also announced that Malaysia and Hong Kong would be subject to out-of-cycle reviews in September 1999. Finally, the USTR announced the initiation of WTO dispute settlement cases against [[Page 24439]] Argentina, Canada the European Union for violations of the Agreement of Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). Claude Burcky, Director of Intellectual Property. [FR Doc. 99-11425 Filed 5-5-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3190-01-M