Trade Rep. Touts Intellectual Property

A dozen countries that trade with the United States need to upgrade protection of intellectual property, according U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative released Thursday its annual "Special 301" Report on the adequacy and effectiveness of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection by U.S. trading partners.

"Today's Special 301 Report guides our efforts to protect American innovation and creativity around the world," said Ambassador Kirk. "Our creative and innovative products can hit the global marketplace sometimes with just a keystroke. If we and our trading partners are not vigilant in protecting and enforcing intellectual property rights, they can vanish just as quickly."

There are 12 countries on this year's Priority Watch List: China, Russia, Algeria, Argentina, Canada, Chile, India, Indonesia, Israel, Pakistan, Thailand, and Venezuela.

"I am particularly troubled by reports that Chinese officials are urging more lenient enforcement of IPR laws, motivated by the financial crisis and the need to maintain jobs," Kirk said. "China needs to strengthen its approach to IPR protection and enforcement, not weaken it."

Canada is being elevated to the Priority Watch List for the first time, reflecting increasing concern about the continuing need for copyright reform, as well as continuing concern about weak border enforcement. The Republic of Korea is being removed from the Watch List in recognition of the "significant improvements it has made during the past year."

Frank Vargo, vice-president of international economic affairs at the National Association of Manufacturers, praised Kirk for his strong defense of intellectual property rights. "Ambassador Kirk's 'Special 301' annual report to Congress, submitted April 30, tells it like it is," Vargo said in a statement. "In less than a month on the job, Ambassador Kirk has served clear notice with this report that he and the Obama Administration will confront intellectual property rights problems wherever they emerge."

Vargo said, "This annual 'Special 301' Report to Congress provides one critical tool for focusing on urgent problems that threaten to undermine one of America's great strengths in the global economy, the innovation and creativity of American firms, workers, and artists. The NAM looks forward to working with Ambassador Kirk, his USTR team and the entire Administration to address the concrete problems identified in the report."