China, Taiwan, India, and Vietnam have been put up as candidates for placement on the United States Trade Representative’s copyright infringement priority watchlist due to allegations of widespread abuse.
The four countries have been cited in a submission by the International Intellectual Property Alliances in the USTR’s annual ‘Special 301’ report which examines breaches in intellectual property rights in the music, film, television, video game and print industries.
While at a lower priority than China, Taiwan, India and Vietnam, the IIPA also recommended that Indonesia and Thailand be added to the watchlist as well.
“The health and competitiveness of the US economy depend on a thriving copyright sector that creates economic growth, jobs and exports,” said Steven J. Metalitz, IIPA Counsel.
“Our trading partners have taken on numerous commitments over the years to provide modern levels of protection for copyright; more effective policies and tools to enforce that protection; and freer, more open markets around the world. Reducing the gaps and shortfalls in fulfillment of these commitments will advance the overall national economic interest of the United States.”
The creative industries accounted for more than US$1.2 trillion of American economic output in 2015 and represents more than 5.5 million American jobs.
“IIPA applauds USTR for making the Special 301 process a positive catalyst for change to further open key markets around the world to products and services that embody American creativity and innovation,” added Metalitz .
“Meeting the challenges identified in this submission will create more good American jobs, promote exports, and contribute substantially to healthy economic growth in the US and abroad.”
