The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has posted USTR Kirk's remarks, as prepared for delivery, for the Retail Industry Leaders Association Logistic Conference. Among other things, Kirk stated that the USTR is currently seeking to resolve outstanding issues on the Colombian, Korean, and Panamanian Free Trade Agreements in an effort to move those forward at the appropriate time. (Remarks, posted 02/24/10, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/speeches/transcripts/2010/february/remarks-ambassador-ron-kirk-retail-industry)
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has posted USTR Kirk's remarks (as prepared for delivery) for his February 19th meeting at the Detroit Economic Club. Among other things, Kirk stated that in just two weeks, the USTR will be releasing the President's 2010 Trade Agenda, which will explain in-depth exactly what the government hopes to accomplish this year. (Remarks, posted 02/19/10, available at http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/speeches/transcripts/2010/february/remarks-ambassador-kirk-detroit-economic-cl)
The U.S. Trade Representative’s annual review of intellectual property protection around the world turned into a referendum on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) under negotiation among several countries, in the eyes of many groups. The office received more than 300 comments on which countries should be added to its “priority” and regular watch lists of countries with worrisome IP practices, which should be left off, and the proper grounds for making determinations.
The U.S. Trade Representative’s annual review of intellectual property protection around the world turned into a referendum on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) under negotiation among several countries, in the eyes of many groups. The office received more than 300 comments on which countries should be added to its “priority” and regular watch lists of countries with worrisome IP practices, which should be left off, and the proper grounds for making determinations.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a notice to correct its December 2009 final rule that established requirements for the registration of durable infant or toddler products.
Commerce Department Secretary Gary Locke announced 10 broadband grants totaling $357 million to spur access and adoption in California, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wisconsin. The grants will connect “millions of households and businesses,” and “thousands of schools, hospitals, libraries and public safety offices to the information superhighway,” NTIA said Thursday. West Virginia and Pennsylvania received the largest grants. In Pennsylvania, NTIA awarded the Keystone Initiative a $99.7 million broadband infrastructure grant to build a 1,700-mile fiber Research and Education Network, and gave the state’s executive office $28.2 million to increase broadband speeds for anchor institutions and underserved areas in the mountains. NTIA gave the executive office of West Virginia $126.3 million to expand the state’s existing microwave public safety network and add 2,400 miles of fiber. The agency also gave the Future Generations Graduate School $4.5 million to spur adoption among low-income and rural areas in West Virginia.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a press release announcing that due to inclement weather, most filing deadlines are being extended for public comments and other submissions in its 2010 "Special 301" review.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a notice seeking comments on a request for an extension of approval without change of a collection of information associated with flammability guarantees under CPSC's flammability standards for clothing1 textiles and vinyl plastic film.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has issued a final rule, effective February 25, 2010, which makes organizational and procedural changes to its phytosanitary treatment regulations.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a final rule, effective February 22, 2010, that establishes guidelines and requirements for mandatory recall notices ordered by the CPSC or a U.S. District Court, as required by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA1).