Thailand remains on US piracy list
Thailand remains on the US Priority Watch List (PWL) for intellectual-property violations for the eighth year as the country still stands accused of turning a blind eye to widespread piracy of software, entertainment and branded goods, the Bangkok Post reported.
Thailand will remain on the list of the world’s worst intellectual property violators for another year, according to the annual Special 301 Report by the US Trade Representative (USTR) released on April 30. India, Algeria, Argentina, Chile, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Russia and Venezuela are also on the list.
According to the USTR, these countries “present the most significant concerns regarding insufficient intellectual property rights protection or enforcement, or otherwise limited market access for persons relying on intellectual property protection.”
In theory, a country’s presence on the list can entail punitive trade measures including special duties and other sanctions, but in practice this has never happened to date.
“The US remains encouraged by Thailand’s stated commitment to improving protection and enforcement,” the report says. But Washington “hopes… and urges” the government to take strong action.
Kulanee Issadisai, deputy director-general of the Intellectual Property Department, said the US’s decision to maintain Thailand on its watch list is not a surprise as a law governing intellectual property rights is what the US government wants. But the political upheaval has stalled deliberation of the law and that is why the US still keeps Thailand on the list, she said.
Thailand remains on the US Priority Watch List (PWL) for intellectual-property violations for the eighth year as the country still stands accused of turning a blind eye to widespread piracy of software, entertainment and branded goods, the Bangkok Post reported. Thailand will remain on the list of the world's worst intellectual property violators for another year, according to the annual Special 301 Report by the US Trade Representative (USTR) released on April 30. India, Algeria, Argentina, Chile, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Russia and Venezuela are also on the list. According to the USTR, these countries "present the most significant concerns regarding...
Thailand remains on the US Priority Watch List (PWL) for intellectual-property violations for the eighth year as the country still stands accused of turning a blind eye to widespread piracy of software, entertainment and branded goods, the Bangkok Post reported.
Thailand will remain on the list of the world’s worst intellectual property violators for another year, according to the annual Special 301 Report by the US Trade Representative (USTR) released on April 30. India, Algeria, Argentina, Chile, China, Indonesia, Pakistan, Russia and Venezuela are also on the list.
According to the USTR, these countries “present the most significant concerns regarding insufficient intellectual property rights protection or enforcement, or otherwise limited market access for persons relying on intellectual property protection.”
In theory, a country’s presence on the list can entail punitive trade measures including special duties and other sanctions, but in practice this has never happened to date.
“The US remains encouraged by Thailand’s stated commitment to improving protection and enforcement,” the report says. But Washington “hopes… and urges” the government to take strong action.
Kulanee Issadisai, deputy director-general of the Intellectual Property Department, said the US’s decision to maintain Thailand on its watch list is not a surprise as a law governing intellectual property rights is what the US government wants. But the political upheaval has stalled deliberation of the law and that is why the US still keeps Thailand on the list, she said.
