[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 155 (Wednesday, August 12, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43227-43228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21641]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

[Docket No. 301-117]


Extension of Section 301 Investigation: Intellectual Property 
Laws and Practices of the Government of Paraguay

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has determined 
to extend the investigation of the acts, policies and practices of the 
Government of Paraguay that deny adequate and effective protection of 
intellectual property rights.

DATES: The USTR made this determination on Tuesday, August 4, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Office of the United States Trade Representative, 600 17th 
Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20508.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Claude Burcky, Director for Intellectual Property, (202) 395-6864; 
Kellie Meiman, Director for Mercosur and the Southern Cone, (202) 395-
5190; or Geralyn S. Ritter, Assistant General Counsel, (202) 395-6800.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 16, 1998, the USTR identified 
Paraguay as a Priority Foreign Country under the ``Special 301'' 
provisions of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2242). In 
identifying Paraguay as a Priorty Foreign Country, the USTR noted 
deficiencies in Paraguay's acts, policies and practices regarding 
intellectual property, including a lack of effective action to enforce 
intellectual property rights. The USTR also observed that the 
Government of Paraguay has failed to enact adequate and effective 
intellectual property legislation covering patents, copyrights and 
trademarks. As required under Section 302(b)(2)(A) of the Trade Act (19 
U.S.C. 2412(b)(2)(A)), an investigation of these acts, policies and 
practices was initiated on February 17, 1998.

Extension of Investigation

    Numerous bilateral negotiations have been held on these issues 
since the initiation of this investigation. Although Paraguay has 
indicated that it will take a number of actions to improve protection 
for intellectual property and, in particular, to strengthen the 
enforcement of intellectual property rights, significant progress on a 
majority of U.S. concerns has not occurred. These issues are too 
complex and complicated to resolve before the end of

[[Page 43228]]

the six-month statutory deadline for concluding this investigation. 
USTR will look to the new government taking office in Paraguay in mid-
August to move quickly to address the continuing serious deficiencies 
in Paraguay's intellectual property regime.
    In light of the need for further time for negotiations to resolve 
these remaining issues, the USTR has determined pursuant to section 
304(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Trade Act, that ``complex or complicated issues 
are involved in the investigation that require additional time.'' The 
USTR has therefore extended this investigation, and will make a final 
determination by November 17, 1998.
Irving A. Williamson,
Chairman, Section 301 Committee.
[FR Doc. 98-21641 Filed 8-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-01-M