U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman should elevate Canada to the USTR Special 301 Priority Watch List this year, in response to Canada’s failure to bring its patent standards “in line” with international standards and regulations, said more than 30 lawmakers from the House of Representatives in a recent letter. Canadian courts have repeatedly violated global intellectual property agreements, including the primary World Trade Organization pact on intellectual property, by determining certain drug patents lack the “utility” necessary to be regulated, said the lawmakers.

The U.S. Trade Representative determined Ukraine is a significant violator of intellectual property rights (IPR) protections in a Section 301 review under the 1974 Trade Act, but will disregard the infringement now in light of the ongoing political transition in the country, said USTR in a notice slated to appear in Thursday’s Federal Register (http://1.usa.gov/1lX3G24). Under Section 301, USTR can retaliate against countries it classifies as IPR violators. In May, USTR determined the Ukrainian government used infringing software and the country hosted infringement of copyright and related rights. Ukraine has said it’s implementing an IPR action plan (CD Feb 21/13 p14).

The U.S. Trade Representative determined Ukraine is a significant violator of intellectual property rights (IPR) protections in a Section 301 review under the 1974 Trade Act, but will disregard the infringement now in light of the ongoing political transition in the country, said USTR in a notice slated to appear in Thursday’s Federal Register (http://1.usa.gov/1lX3G24). Under Section 301, USTR can retaliate against countries it classifies as IPR violators. In the most recent Special 301 Report released in May, USTR listed Ukraine as a Priority Foreign Country for its allegedly unfair, nontransparent system that oversees collection and distribution of royalties to rightsholders, including U.S. companies and individuals. The Ukrainian government has failed to stamp out widespread use of infringing software by state agencies and failed to combat online infringement of copyright rights, the U.S. also contends. Ukraine has said it’s implementing an IPR action plan (WID Feb 21/13 p3).

U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) determined Ukraine is a significant violator of intellectual property rights (IPR) protections in a Section 301 review, but will disregard the infringement at this time in light of the ongoing political transition in the country, said USTR. Under Section 301, USTR can retaliate against countries it classifies as IPR violators. In May 2013, USTR determined the Ukrainian government used infringing software and the country hosted infringement of copyright and related rights.

The Senate unanimously confirmed Gil Kerlikowske as CBP commissioner by voice vote on March 6, in a move that ensures a Senate-confirmed commissioner will lead CBP for the first time in nearly five years. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, along with some industry leaders, praised the confirmation.

The U.S. plans to initiate trade discussions with other countries in an effort to boost telecom equipment exports as a means to add American manufacturing jobs, said the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative 2014 trade agenda (http://1.usa.gov/1fGXWH5). “We will seek to negotiate and implement Telecommunications Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with select countries to facilitate U.S. exports of telecommunications equipment,” said USTR Tuesday. The Obama administration also aims to conclude the World Trade Organization Information Technology Agreement (ITA) in 2014. The elimination of duties on modern information technology products through the ITA would boost U.S. technology exports, said USTR. The telecom industry approved of the prospects. “The President’s 2014 Trade Agenda demonstrates the Administration’s commitment to pursuing high-standard trade agreements that will open markets and level the playing field for the U.S. [information and communications technology] industry,” said Telecommunications Industry Association President Grant Seiffert in a news release (http://bit.ly/NU6lv0). “This will ultimately benefit the United States through economic growth, job creation, and enhancing America’s global competitiveness.” The administration is also prioritizing conclusion of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations in 2014, said USTR. Administration officials had previously aimed to complete the deal by the end of 2013. The USTR said it also expects “significant progress” on free trade agreement negotiations toward the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the European Union during 2014. U.S. trade negotiators intend to use the Trans-Pacific Partnership, WTO and TTIP forums to crack down on intellectual property infringements, said USTR. “We will use all appropriate trade policy tools to address key trade-related IP issues and resolve specific intellectual property rights [IPR] issues that undermine the rights of Americans,” said USTR. “We seek to actively combat global counterfeiting that both threatens American jobs and often endangers the health and safety of global consumers. The United States will continue to use the ‘Special 301’ process and annual report to Congress both to drive continued improvements to the IPR protection and enforcement system and to spotlight challenges."

The U.S. plans to initiate trade discussions with other countries in an effort to boost telecom equipment exports as a means to add American manufacturing jobs, said the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative 2014 trade agenda (http://1.usa.gov/1fGXWH5). “We will seek to negotiate and implement Telecommunications Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with select countries to facilitate U.S. exports of telecommunications equipment,” said USTR Tuesday. The Obama administration also aims to conclude the World Trade Organization Information Technology Agreement (ITA) in 2014. The elimination of duties on modern information technology products through the ITA would boost U.S. technology exports, said USTR. The telecom industry approved of the prospects. “The President’s 2014 Trade Agenda demonstrates the Administration’s commitment to pursuing high-standard trade agreements that will open markets and level the playing field for the U.S. [information and communications technology] industry,” said Telecommunications Industry Association President Grant Seiffert in a news release (http://bit.ly/NU6lv0). “This will ultimately benefit the United States through economic growth, job creation, and enhancing America’s global competitiveness.” The administration is also prioritizing conclusion of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations in 2014, said USTR. Administration officials had previously aimed to complete the deal by the end of 2013. The USTR said it also expects “significant progress” on free trade agreement negotiations toward the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the European Union during 2014. U.S. trade negotiators intend to use the Trans-Pacific Partnership, WTO and TTIP forums to crack down on intellectual property infringements, said USTR. “We will use all appropriate trade policy tools to address key trade-related IP issues and resolve specific intellectual property rights [IPR] issues that undermine the rights of Americans,” said USTR. “We seek to actively combat global counterfeiting that both threatens American jobs and often endangers the health and safety of global consumers. The United States will continue to use the ‘Special 301’ process and annual report to Congress both to drive continued improvements to the IPR protection and enforcement system and to spotlight challenges."

The Obama Administration is prioritizing increases in agriculture and manufacturing exports during the course of 2014, said the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in the Trade Policy Agenda released on March 4. The USTR will also seek to add protections to intellectual property rights through the World Trade Organization and free trade agreements now being negotiated, the agency said.

The U.S. Trade Representative removed Israel from the Special 301 report watch list of countries that fail to sufficiently protect intellectual property rights, said USTR Michael Froman in a Friday news release (http://1.usa.gov/1hZTz7v). It said the Israeli passage of patent legislation fulfilled commitments the country made in a 2010 agreement with the U.S. pertaining to intellectual property.

The U.S. Trade Representative removed Israel from the Special 301 report watch list of countries that fail to sufficiently protect intellectual property rights, said USTR Michael Froman in a Friday news release (http://1.usa.gov/1hZTz7v). It said the Israeli passage of patent legislation fulfilled commitments the country made in a 2010 agreement with the U.S. pertaining to intellectual property.