USTR Special 301 Committee to Host Public Hearing in March

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is requesting written submissions from the public by Feb. 5 concerning foreign countries that “deny adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights” or deny fair market access to U.S. citizens who rely on intellectual property protection, a notice published Jan. 11 in the Federal Register states (here). In advance of a March 1 public hearing to be hosted by USTR’s Special 301 Subcommittee, USTR is asking that the public identify whether a particular trading partner should be named as a priority foreign country under Section 182 of the Trade Act or placed on the Priority Watch List or Watch List. Foreign governments will have until Feb. 19 to submit written comments, notices of intent to testify at the hearing, and any prepared hearing statements. USTR plans to publish the 2016 Special 301 Report on or close to April 30.