Phl maintains clean record on IP protection, US Trade Rep says

For the 12th consecutive year, the Philippines remains absent from the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) Special 301 Report watchlist, an annual review of the global state of intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement.

The USTR reviewed more than 100 trading partners for this year’s report and placed 26 countries either on the "Priority Watch List" or the "Watch List."

In the report released by Washington on Tuesday, the USTR placed Argentina, Chile, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and Venezuela on the “Priority Watch List.”

According to the USTR, Mexico was moved from the "Watch List" to the "Priority Watch List" due to “long-standing and significant IP concerns that have not been resolved,” particularly relating to its implementation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

"These include concerns regarding enforcement against trademark counterfeiting and copyright piracy, protection of pharmaceutical-related IP, pre-established damages for copyright infringement and trademark counterfeiting, and plant variety protection,” the report stated.

Meanwhile, 18 nations were placed on the “Watch List,” namely Algeria, Barbados, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Guatemala, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, and Vietnam.

“USTR placed 8 countries on the Priority Watch List, indicating that serious problems exist in that country with respect to IP protection, enforcement, or market access for U.S. persons relying on IP,” the report emphasized.

Vietnam was cited as a major source of online piracy.

“Although Vietnam took some steps to improve criminal enforcement, it remains a leading source of online piracy. There has been little or no progress on other serious IP issues, including counterfeit goods, copyright exceptions, pharmaceutical-related IP, and geographical indications,” the USTR noted.

Jamieson Greer, USTR official, stressed the importance of enforcing IP rights globally.

“Our trading partners must address the concerns identified in the Special 301 Report and stop those stealing the intellectual property of hard-working businesses and individuals. President Trump has a track record of empowering our innovators and workers, and this comprehensive report is a basis for the United States to take trade enforcement action against those not playing fairly,” Greer said.

Meanwhile, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) has yet to release comments on the latest Special 301 Report.