April 27, 2023
AAP Applauds 2023 USTR Special 301 Report Addressing Copyright Protection and Enforcement Issues in Key Markets
The Association of American Publishers (AAP) today applauded the release of the 2023 Special 301 Report by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
The Special 301 Report serves the critical function of identifying continuing impediments to the ability of U.S. copyright owners to compete successfully in foreign markets, including markets of importance to the U.S. publishing industry.
China and Russia remain on the Priority Watch List. While the report notes some progress for China, including positive developments in the areas of Patent, Copyright, and Criminal Law, it also questions “the adequacy and effective implementation of these measures,” and reiterates concerns about long-standing issues “like technology transfer, trade secrets, counterfeiting, online piracy, copyright law, and patent and related policies.” With respect to Russia, the report notes ongoing concerns with “inadequate and ineffective protection of copyright,” and that the country needs to “direct more action against rogue online platforms targeting audiences outside the country.” Canada, meanwhile, continues on the Watch List given significant concerns regarding the country’s IP environment and the “ambiguous education-related exception.”
“As always, AAP and its members are deeply grateful for the critically important work that USTR does to highlight the need for robust copyright protection, and an adequate enforcement framework,” Lui Simpson, Senior Vice President for Global Policy, AAP.
The 2023 Special 301 Report is available here.