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- step forward for international norms of IPR protection, particularly with regard to Internet-based delivery of copyrighted works. With the EU's ratification of the WIPO Internet Treaties, there are now 88 members of the WCT and 86 members of the WPPT. These treaties have raised the standard of IPR protection around the world, particularly with regard to Internet-based delivery of copyrighted works.
The United States commends this positive progress by our trading partners. The United States will continue to work with these and other countries to achieve further improvements in IPR protection and enforcement during the coming year.
Initiatives to Strengthen IPR Internationally
The United States has worked to promote adequate and effective protection and enforcement of IPR through a variety of mechanisms, including the following initiatives:
- World Trade Organization (WTO): The multilateral structure of WTO agreements provides opportunities for USTR to lead engagement with trading partners on IPR issues in several contexts, including accession processes for prospective members; the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Council); and WTO dispute settlement.
- Bilateral and Regional Initiatives: The United States worked with many countries to strengthen IPR protection and enforcement through the provisions of bilateral and regional agreements, including free trade agreements (FTAs). In addition, Trade and Investment Framework Agreements (TIFAs) between the United States and several countries, including many in the Middle East and Asia, have facilitated discussions on enhancing IPR protection and enforcement.
- Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA): The goal of the ACTA initiative is to work with trading partners in favor of strong IPR enforcement to achieve an agreement that raises the international standard for the enforcement of IPR. On April 21, 2010, the ACTA participants released the current draft of the ACTA text, following the 8th round of the ACTA negotiations in Wellington, New Zealand. USTR has made the draft text available to the public at www.ustr.gov/acta.
- Trade Preference Program Reviews: USTR reviews IPR practices in connection with the implementation of trade preference programs such as the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), and regional programs such as the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA). USTR will continue to review IPR practices in Russia, Lebanon, and Uzbekistan under ongoing GSP reviews.
- Expanded International Cooperation: USTR, in coordination with other agencies, looks forward to continuing engagement with trading partners in bilateral, regional, and
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