ARGENTINA
Argentina will remain on the Priority Watch List in 2007. The United States notes that Argentina made progress in decreasing its backlog of patent applications, due in part to hiring additional patent examiners, changing filing procedures, and reducing the number of patents waiting to be examined. However, Argentina still does not provide adequate protection against unfair commercial use for data generated to obtain marketing approval. The United States urges Argentina to implement an effective coordination system between its health and patent authorities to prevent the issuance of marketing approvals for patent-infringing pharmaceutical products, as well as to address problems that rights holders encounter in attempting to obtain timely and effective injunctions to stop such unfair commercial use. Copyright piracy also remains a significant problem in Argentina. Although cooperation has improved between Argentina's enforcement authorities and the U.S. copyright industry, and the Argentine Customs authority has taken steps to improve enforcement, the United States encourages stronger IPR enforcement actions to combat the widespread availability of pirated and counterfeit products. The United States will continue to monitor Argentina's efforts to address these concerns.
CHILE
Chile will remain on the Priority Watch List in 2007. Chile was elevated from the Watch List to the Priority Watch List at the conclusion of an Out-of-Cycle Review in January 2007. The United States remains concerned about inadequate protection against unfair commercial use for data generated to obtain marketing approval; insufficient coordination between Chile's health and patent authorities to prevent the issuance of marketing approvals for patent-infringing pharmaceutical products; continuing copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting; and the need for greater efforts to meet standards set out in the TRIPS Agreement, the United States – Chile FTA, and other international agreements. The United States notes in particular that Chile apparently has not fully implemented legislation to comply with FTA obligations where the transition periods expired as of January 1, 2006. Copyright piracy in Chile remains high and digital piracy continues to grow. In addition, copyright and trademark enforcement must be significantly improved, including the imposition of deterrent penalties in criminal IPR cases. Significant amendments to Chile's IPR legislation are needed to bring Chile's IPR regime into line with its multilateral and bilateral commitments. The United States will continue to work with Chile, with the expectation of imminent progress through the implementation of its IPR commitments in the FTA.
EGYPT
Egypt will remain on the Priority Watch List in 2007. The United States remains concerned about continuing deficiencies in Egypt's IPR enforcement regime, problems with its judicial system, a backlog of pending patent applications, the lack of protection against unfair commercial use for data generated to obtain marketing approval, and the lack of an effective coordination system between its health and patent authorities to prevent the issuance of marketing approvals for patent-infringing pharmaceutical products. The United States recognizes Egypt's efforts to improve IP protection and enforcement in 2006, especially in modernizing its infrastructure and training key personnel such as judges and civil inspectors, and encourages Egypt to continue to make institutional IP reforms, strengthen its IPR legislation on copyrights, patents, and enforcement, as well as ratify and implement the WIPO Internet Treaties. The United States urges Egypt to improve its court system by increasing its efficiency
25
