[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 216 (Thursday, November 8, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63211-63213]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21962]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

[Docket No. WTO/DS-363]


WTO Dispute Settlement Proceeding Regarding China--Measures 
Affecting Trading Rights and Distribution Services for Certain 
Publications and Audiovisual Entertainment Products

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is 
providing notice that the United States has requested, in accordance 
with the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization 
(WTO Agreement), that the WTO Dispute Settlement Body establish a 
dispute settlement panel to review the U.S. claims concerning: (1) 
Certain measures that restrict trading rights with respect to imported 
films for theatrical release, audiovisual home entertainment products 
(e.g., video cassettes and DVDs), sound recordings, and publications 
(e.g., books, magazines, newspapers, and electronic publications); (2) 
certain measures that restrict market access for, or discriminate 
against, foreign suppliers of distribution services for publications, 
foreign suppliers of audiovisual services (including distribution 
services) for audiovisual home entertainment products, and foreign 
suppliers of sound recording distribution services; (3) certain 
measures that provide less favorable distribution opportunities for 
imported films for theatrical release than for like domestic films; and 
(4) certain measures that provide less favorable opportunities for 
foreign suppliers of sound recording distribution services and for the 
distribution of imported sound recordings than are provided to like 
service suppliers and like products. The panel request may be found at 
http://www.wto.org contained in a document designated as WT/DS363/5. 
USTR invites written comments from the public concerning the issues 
raised in this dispute.

DATES: Although USTR will accept any comments received during the 
course of the consultations, comments should be submitted on or before 
December 21, 2007 to be assured of timely consideration by USTR.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted (i) electronically, to 
[email protected], with ``China Trading Rights and Distribution 
Services (DS363)'' in the subject line, or (ii) by fax, to Sandy 
McKinzy at (202) 395-3640, with a confirmation copy sent electronically 
to the electronic mail address above, in accordance with the 
requirements for submission set out below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Probir Mehta, Assistant General 
Counsel, Office of the United States Trade Representative, 600 17th 
Street, NW., Washington, DC, (202) 395-3150.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Section 127(b) of the Uruguay 
Round Agreements Act (URAA) (19 U.S.C. 3537(b)(1)), USTR is providing 
notice that the United States has requested the WTO Dispute Settlement 
Body to establish a dispute settlement panel pursuant to the WTO 
Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of 
Disputes (DSU). Such panel, which would hold its meetings in Geneva, 
Switzerland, would be expected to issue a report on its findings and 
recommendations within approximately nine months after it is 
established.

[[Page 63212]]

Major Issues Raised by the United States

    The first matter on which the United States has requested the 
establishment of a WTO dispute settlement panel concerns certain 
measures of China that reserve to certain Chinese state-designated and 
wholly or partially state-owned enterprises the right to import films 
for theatrical release, audiovisual home entertainment products (e.g., 
video cassettes and DVDs), sound recordings, and publications (e.g., 
books, magazines, newspapers, and electronic publications). In this 
regard, the measures at issue include the following, as well as any 
amendments and related or implementing measures:
     The Regulations on Administration of the Films Industry;
     The Provisional Rules on the Entry Criteria for Operating 
Film Enterprises;
     The Administrative Regulation on Publishing;
     The Administrative Regulations on Audiovisual Products;
     The Catalogue for Guidance of Foreign Investment 
Industries;
     The Several Opinions of the Ministry of Culture, State 
Administration of Radio, Film and Television, General Administration of 
Press and Publication, National Development and Reform Commission and 
the Ministry of Commerce on Introducing Foreign Investment into the 
Cultural Sector;
     The Measures for the Administration of Import of Audio and 
Video Products;
     The Measures for Administration of Chinese Foreign 
Contractual Distribution Ventures of Audiovisual Products;
     The Administrative Regulations on Electronic Publications; 
and
     The Procedure for Examination and Approval of 
Establishment of Publication Importation Entities.
    It appears that these measures do not allow all Chinese enterprises 
and all foreign enterprises and individuals to have the right to import 
the Products into the customs territory of China. It also appears that 
foreign individuals and enterprises, including those not invested or 
registered in China, are accorded treatment less favorable than that 
accorded to enterprises in China with respect to the right to trade. 
These measures appear to USTR to be inconsistent with China's 
obligations under paragraphs 1.2, 5.1 and 5.2 of Part I of the Protocol 
on the Accession of the People's Republic of China (Accession Protocol) 
and Article XI:1 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 
(GATT 1994).
    The second matter on which the United States has requested the 
establishment of a WTO dispute settlement panel concerns certain 
measures of China that impose market access restrictions or 
discriminatory limitations on foreign service providers seeking to 
engage in the distribution of publications, certain audiovisual home 
entertainment products, and sound recordings. In this regard, the 
measures at issue include the following, as well as any amendments and 
related or implementing measures:
     The Administrative Regulation on Publishing;
     The Administrative Regulations on Audiovisual Products;
     The Provisions on Guiding the Orientation of Foreign 
Investment;
     The Catalogue for Guidance of Foreign Investment 
Industries;
     The Several Opinions of the Ministry of Culture, State 
Administration of Radio, Film and Television, General Administration of 
Press and Publication, National Development and Reform Commission and 
the Ministry of Commerce on Introducing Foreign Investment into the 
Cultural Sector;
     The Administrative Regulations on Management of Foreign-
Invested Book, Magazine and Newspaper Distribution Enterprises;
     The Administrative Regulations on the Publication Market 
(revised);
     The Administrative Regulations on Electronic Publications;
     The Administrative Measures on Subscription of Imported 
Publications;
     The Procedure for Examination and Approval of 
Establishment of Chinese-Foreign Entities, Cooperative Joint Ventures, 
and Wholly Foreign Owned Publication Distribution Enterprises;
     The Measures for Administration of Chinese Foreign 
Contractual Distribution Ventures of Audiovisual Products;
     The Interim Regulations on Internet Culture 
Administration;
     The Circular of the Ministry of Culture on Relevant Issues 
of Implementation of the Interim Regulations on Internet Culture 
Administration; and
     The Several Opinions on the Development and Regulation of 
Network Music.
    It appears that these measures prohibit foreign service suppliers 
(including wholly or partially foreign-owned or foreign-invested 
enterprises) from engaging at least in certain types of distribution of 
publications and audiovisual home entertainment products within China. 
In addition, to the extent that some foreign service suppliers are 
allowed to engage in some aspects of the distribution of publications, 
there appear to be discriminatory requirements concerning such 
suppliers' registered capital, such suppliers' operating term, and the 
particular publications that such suppliers may distribute. The 
measures at issue also appear to establish different distribution 
opportunities for imported and domestically produced books, newspapers, 
and periodicals; imported books, newspapers and periodicals are 
restricted in their distribution opportunities. Furthermore, to the 
extent that foreign services suppliers are permitted to engage in any 
distribution of audiovisual home entertainment products, the measures 
at issue appear to impose requirements that the service be supplied 
through a form of entity that Chinese persons control, or in which 
Chinese persons have a dominant position, or for which there is a 
limitation on the participation of foreign capital.
    Moreover, the measures at issue appear to prohibit any foreign-
owned or foreign-invested entity from obtaining the licenses necessary 
to engage in certain types of ``internet cultural products,'' including 
sound recordings in digital form. In addition, to the extent that 
foreign service suppliers can engage in the distribution of sound 
recordings in digital form, the measures at issue appear to provide 
that any ``imported'' music is subject to content reviews by the 
Chinese Government before digital distribution. However, music in which 
rights are held by Chinese enterprises without foreign investment is 
not subject to such content review before digital distribution within 
China. Consequently, the measures at issue appear to accord foreign 
suppliers of sound recording distribution services less favorable 
treatment than that accorded to Chinese suppliers of sound recording 
distribution services.
    The foregoing measures appear to USTR to be inconsistent with 
China's obligations under paragraphs 1.2 and 5.1 of Part I of the 
Accession Protocol, Article III:4 of the GATT 1994, and Articles XVI 
and XVII of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS).
    The third matter on which the United States has requested the 
establishment of a WTO dispute settlement panel concerns certain 
measures that provide distribution opportunities for imported films for 
theatrical release that are less favorable than the distribution 
opportunities for domestically produced films for theatrical release.
    In this connection, the measures at issue include the following as 
well as

[[Page 63213]]

any amendments, related measures, or implementing measures:
     The Regulations on the Administration of the Films 
Industry;
     The Provisional Rules on the Entry Criteria for Operating 
Film Enterprises; and
     The Provisional Specific Implementing Rules for Reforming 
Film Distribution and Exhibition.
    It appears that these measures establish a dual distribution system 
for imported and domestically produced films for theatrical release. 
Imported films can be distributed within China only by two entities, 
each of which operates on a nationwide basis. By contrast, domestically 
produced films can be distributed not only by those same two entities, 
but also by many other entities, including entities that operate on a 
local, provincial or other subnational basis.
    Accordingly, the measures at issue appear to be inconsistent with 
China's obligations under the provisions of paragraphs 1.2 and 5.1 of 
Part I of the Accession Protocol and Article III:4 of the GATT 1994.
    The fourth matter on which the United States has requested the 
establishment of a WTO dispute settlement panel concerns certain 
measures that provide less favorable distribution opportunities for 
sound recordings imported into China in physical form than for sound 
recordings produced in China.
    In this regard, the measures at issue include the following, as 
well as any amendments and related or implementing measures:
     The Interim Regulations on Internet Culture 
Administration;
     The Circular of the Ministry of Culture on Relevant Issues 
of Implementation of the Interim Regulations on Internet Culture 
Administration;
     The Catalogue for Guidance of Foreign Investment 
Industries;
     The Several Opinions of the Ministry of Culture, the State 
Administration of Radio, Film and Television, the General 
Administration of Press and Publication, the National Development and 
Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce on Introducing Foreign 
Investment into the Cultural Sector; and
     The Several Opinions on the Development and Regulation of 
Network Music.
    These measures appear to require that sound recordings imported 
into China in physical form but intended for digital distribution must 
undergo content review by the Chinese Government prior to such 
distribution within China. However, domestically produced sound 
recordings appear not to be subject to this requirement, but can 
instead be digitally distributed immediately. It thus appears that 
sound recordings imported into China in physical form are treated less 
favorably than sound recordings produced in China in physical form.
    The foregoing measures appear to USTR to be inconsistent with 
China's obligations under provisions of paragraphs 1.2 and 5.1 of Part 
I of the Accession Protocol and Article III:4 of the GATT 1994.

Public Comment: Requirements for Submissions

    Interested persons are invited to submit written comments 
concerning the issues raised in the dispute. Comments should be 
submitted (i) electronically, to [email protected], with ``China 
Trading Rights and Distribution Services (DS363)'' in the subject line, 
or (ii) by fax, to Sandy McKinzy at (202) 395-3640, with a confirmation 
copy sent electronically to the electronic mail address above.
    USTR encourages the submission of documents in Adobe PDF format as 
attachments to an electronic mail. Interested persons who make 
submissions by electronic mail should not provide separate cover 
letters; information that might appear in a cover letter should be 
included in the submission itself. Similarly, to the extent possible, 
any attachments to the submission should be included in the same file 
as the submission itself, and not as separate files.
    Comments must be in English. A person requesting that information 
contained in a comment submitted by that person be treated as 
confidential business information must certify that such information is 
business confidential and would not customarily be released to the 
public by the commenter. Confidential business information must be 
clearly designated as such and ``BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL'' must be marked 
at the top and bottom of the cover page and each succeeding page. 
Persons who submit confidential business information are encouraged 
also to provide a non-confidential summary of the information.
    Information or advice contained in a comment submitted, other than 
business confidential information, may be determined by USTR to be 
confidential in accordance with section 135(g)(2) of the Trade Act of 
1974 (19 U.S.C. 2155(g)(2)). If the submitter believes that information 
or advice may qualify as such, the submitter--
    (1) Must clearly so designate the information or advice;
    (2) Must clearly mark the material as ``SUBMITTED IN CONFIDENCE'' 
at the top and bottom of the cover page and each succeeding page; and
    (3) Is encouraged to provide a non-confidential summary of the 
information or advice.
    Pursuant to section 127(e) of the URAA (19 U.S.C. 3537(e)), USTR 
will maintain a file on this dispute settlement proceeding, accessible 
to the public, in the USTR Reading Room, which is located at 1724 F 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20508. The public file will include non-
confidential comments received by USTR from the public with respect to 
the dispute; if a dispute settlement panel is convened or in the event 
of an appeal from such a panel, the U.S. submissions; the submissions, 
or non-confidential summaries of submissions, received from other 
participants in the dispute; the report of the panel; and, if 
applicable, the report of the Appellate Body. The USTR Reading Room is 
open to the public, by appointment only, from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 
p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. An appointment to review the 
public file (Docket WTO/DS-363, China Trading Rights and Distribution 
Services Dispute) may be made by calling the USTR Reading Room at (202) 
395-6186.

Daniel Brinza,
Assistant United States Trade Representative for Monitoring and 
Enforcement.
[FR Doc. E7-21962 Filed 11-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-W8-P