USTR Announces Closure of GSP Country Practice Reviews for Brazil and Pakistan
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued two notices announcing that the reviews of intellectual property protection in Brazil and Pakistan have been closed. These reviews were carried out as part of the USTR's 2005 Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Country Eligibility Practices Review (country practices review).
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(The GSP provides for the duty-free importation of designated articles from designated beneficiary developing countries. )
USTR Find that Brazil and Pakistan Have Made Progress in Protecting IPR
The Trade Policy Staff Committee (TPSC) has decided to close the reviews of IPR protection in Brazil and Pakistan for the following reasons:
Brazil (Case No. 013-CP-05). According to USTR sources, the U.S. administration has been working for a number of years with Brazil to improve that country's IPR protection. Both the USTR and the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA, the petitioner in this review) believe that Brazil has made enough progress recently that it is no longer appropriate for the U.S. to consider removing Brazil's GSP benefits.
Pakistan (Case No 017-CP-05). USTR sources explain that Pakistan has recently implemented legislation authorizing its Customs administration to take more action to combat the piracy of optical disk material (e.g., CDs and DVDs). A USTR press release adds that Pakistan's government has announced new regulations to fight IPR theft and has established the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan to coordinate enforcement actions, with notable results. Pakistan has also initiated the process to accede to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) internet treaties, the World Copyright Treaty, and the World Performance and Phonograph Treaty. In light of this progress, both the USTR and the IIPA, the petitioner in this review, believe it is no longer appropriate to threaten removal of Pakistan's GSP benefits.
2005 Country Practices Review Still Ongoing for Other Countries
USTR sources note that the 2005 country practices review is still ongoing and other petitions remain under consideration. These sources confirm that any modifications to the list of countries eligible for GSP benefits resulting from the 2005 country practices review will be announced on or about June 30, 2006 in the Federal Register. (See ITT's Online Archives 09/16/05 news, 05091615, for BP summary of the USTR's announcement of the petitions accepted for the 2005 annual GSP country practices review.)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 01/24/06 news, 06012405, for BP summary of the USTR's reinstatement of GSP benefits for Ukraine due to that country's efforts to improve enforcement and protection of IPR.)
USTR Contact - Marideth Sandler (202) 395-6971
USTR Brazil Notice (FR Pub 01/13/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-368.pdf
USTR Pakistan Notice (FR Pub 01/24/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-809.pdf
USTR Press Release on Pakistan (dated 01/24/06) available athttp://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/January/USTR_Ends_Review_of_Pakistans_Protection_of_Intellectual_Property_Rights.html