Published on 29 April, the US ‘Special 301 Report’ on the state of intellectual property protection in the world again this year focuses on the European Union’s system of geographical indications (see EUROPE 12243/2).
This document allows the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) to expose states that do not provide “adequate and effective” intellectual property protection and enforcement.
The report highlights the “negative effects” on the access of US products to EU and third country markets as a result of EU policy on the protection of geographical indications (GIs), particularly for those with prior trademark rights or relying on the use of common names.
The USTR also cites Bulgaria, Greece, the Netherlands and Romania among the countries that have not put in place effective policies or procedures to combat online and broadcast piracy (see EUROPE 12243/2).
Of the Member States, only Romania is on the USTR ‘watch list’: Greece was removed from it this year, thanks to its measures to combat the widespread use of unlicensed software, the report points out.
Eventually, countries that are caught may be subject to enforcement action under Section 301 of the Trade Act, including tariff sanctions.
Consult the report: https://bit.ly/2yRPdDb (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)