Tuesday, June 22, 2010 2:36 pm | By Kelsey Zahourek
The Property Rights Alliance (PRA) would like to congratulate the Administration and specifically IP Enforcement Coordinator, Victoria Espinel, for presenting to Congress the first national strategy to combat counterfeiting and piracy.
Counterfeiting and piracy is a global problem that negatively impacts all sectors of the global economy from pharmaceuticals to software. In the U.S., intellectual property-related industries employ over 18 million Americans. These jobs are ensured and protected due to IP protections that allow for stability in the industry.
By developing an aggressive comprehensive strategy that pulls together all IP stakeholders, the Administration is taking the necessary steps to encourage innovation, spur economic growth and investment, and save American jobs.
The plan can be found here.
On the Watch List: 5 Countries Not Strengthening Intellecutal Property Rights
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 5:25 pm | By Anthony Lizan
In the previous post, the Property Rights Alliance (PRA) highlighted 4 countries that were taken off the US Trade Representative’s Watch List for their efforts to improve IPR protection. Yet despite these improvements, 40 countries continue to be monitored for their enforcement weaknesses. The PRA would like to highlight 5 countries that regularly make either the priority or general watch lists. China, Russia, India, Mexico, and Brazil all have serious IP protection shortfalls that need to be corrected.
China is notorious for trafficking counterfeit software and entertainment. According to the 2010 International Property Rights Index (IPRI), “pirated business software and music still account for 80 percent and 90 percent of their markets, respectively.” The USTR states that 79 percent of counterfeit goods confiscated at the US border are from China. Furthermore, China’s protectionist scheme—indigenous innovation—levies onerous rules on companies that sell foreign goods. It has become so hard to buy and sell certain foreign products that people now prefer the black market as an alternative.
Russia remains on the Priority Watch List because of its reluctance to enact any meaningful IP protections. In a 2006 bilateral agreement with the U.S., Russia agreed to address several issues and to comply with the WTO’s TRIPS agreement. While Russia enacted several IP amendments to its civil code, as of 2010, none of the provisions agreed upon have become law. As a result, levels of internet, optical disc, and pharmaceutical piracy remain high. (Click the "Read More" link below)
Off the Watch List: 4 Countries Strengthening Intellectual Property Rights Protection
Monday, June 14, 2010 12:43 pm | By Anthony Lizan
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) recently released its annual Special 301 Report, which focuses on global intellectual property rights protection. The report highlights and monitors countries with IP enforcement inadequacies and places them into two lists, the “Priority Watch List,” and the “Watch List.”
With the exception of Israel, whose status is pending, the “Priority Watch List” remains unchanged since 2009. (The Israelis have agreed to address several issues relating to pharmaceutical products, and the Property Rights Alliance will continue to monitor their progress.)The “Watch List,” on the other hand, did see an improvement from last year. Four countries—the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Saudi Arabia—all made great strides to increase IPR enforcement. (Click the "Read More" link below)
