[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 89 (Thursday, May 8, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 24785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-11440]


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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: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the United States Trade 
Representative (USTR) has submitted its annual report on the 
identification of 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 coiuntries, to the Committee on 
Finance of the United States Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means 
of the United States House of Representatives, pursuant to section 182 
of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (the Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. 2242).

DATES: This report was submitted on May 1, 2003.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kira Alvarez, Director for 
Intellectual Property, (202) 395-6864, or Dan Mullaney, Associate 
General Counsel or Victoria Espinel, Associate General Counsel at (202) 
395-7305.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 182 of the Trade Act requires 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 hte 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 May 1, 2003, USTR identified 47 trading partners that deny 
adequate and effective protection of intellectual property or deny fair 
and equitable market access to United States artists and industries 
that rely upon intellectual property protection. USTR maintained 
Ukraine's designation as a Priority Foreign Country, and again 
designated Paraguay and China for ``Section 306 monitoring'' to ensure 
both countries comply with the commitments made to the United States 
under bilateral intellectual property agreements.
    USTR also announced placement of 11 trading partners on the 
``Priority Watch List'': Argentina, the Bahamas, Brazil, European 
Union, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Philippines, Poland, Russia and 
Taiwan. In addition, USTR placed 36 trading partners on the ``Watch 
List.'' USTR will conduct an out-of-cycle review of Korea, and review 
any progress made in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela, in the fall.

Kira M. Alvarez,
Director for Intellectual Property.
[FR Doc. 03-11440 Filed 5-7-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-01-M