IP NEWS

On May 1, 2003, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced the results of the 2003 Special 301 annual review. The 301 review lists countries that the USTR determined did not provide effective intellectual property protection or that denied equitable market participation to the United States. This year the list includes approximately 74 countries that are categorized as Priority Foreign Countries ' where intellectual property protection is most onerous and severely adverse to U.S. interests ' and as Priority Watch List or Watch List ' where intellectual property protection issues are respectively less egregious. This year, the USTR paid special attention to the issue of counterfeiting and piracy, with a particular emphasis on the unauthorized copying of 'optical media' including CDs, DVDs and CD-ROMs. The USTR also focused on other important issues including Internet piracy, health-related intellectual property issues, and the implementation of Trade-Related Aspects of International Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement).