The Association of American Publishers (AAP) has welcomed the April 25, 2008 release of the annual Special 301 report by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). The report is the result of a Congressional mandate to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of intellectual property (IP) protection in selected countries and territories worldwide. It highlights book and journal piracy and the need for improved market access for American companies among important issues of engagement in 2008. As a member of the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA), AAP submitted specific recommendations to USTR on February 11 as part of the annual review process.
The USTR report assigns countries to various categories based on concerns about effectiveness in fighting IP theft. Of particular concern this year are two lists - the Priority Watch List and the Watch List. USTR can also designate countries for ongoing monitoring under other trade provisions, or choose to conduct mid-year reviews.
The latest announcement places nine countries on the Priority Watch List, including Pakistan, Thailand, India and China. AAP has applauded the USTR action regarding these four countries, seen as potentially lucrative markets for American book and journal publishers that remain largely unrealised, undermined by high piracy levels or market access restrictions.
The report places 36 trading partners on the Watch List. These include important book and journal markets such as Canada, Brazil, Egypt, the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan. AAP applauded the USTR call for continued bilateral engagement with these and other Watch List listees, noting in particular the out-of-cycle review scheduled for Taiwan. AAP also noted the importance of combining Special 301 and related processes with other endeavours, including multinational organisations such as the World Trade Organisation, bilateral mechanisms such as the Trade Policy Forum in India and the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiation process. The pending FTA with Korea, in particular, highlights important issues relating to university campus infringement.
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