Page:Special 301 Report 2012.pdf/48

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

cooperation from the Cybercrime and IP Unit of the police branch of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) on enforcement efforts, including a notable action against a manufacturer of counterfeit medicines. However, problems persist. Lebanon should take further action to address concerns regarding counterfeit medicines by extending operations to shut down offending factories. The United States encourages Lebanon to clarify its protection against the unfair commercial use, as well as unauthorized disclosure, of test or other data generated to obtain marketing approval of pharmaceutical products. The United States also encourages Lebanon to complete its accession to the WIPO Internet Treaties. Several key legislative reforms remain pending, and progress on the copyright law amendments has stalled. Lebanon should provide its enforcement authorities, including the Cybercrime and IP Unit of the ISF and customs officials, with ex officio authority. The United States looks forward to continuing to work with Lebanon to address these and other issues.

Mexico

Mexico remains on the Watch List in 2012. There were positive developments on IPR in 2011, including enactment of legislation to penalize enterprises that refuse entry to government IPR inspectors. There were also other improvements in IPR enforcement, especially actions led by Mexican customs authorities, as well as positive collaboration with Mexican officials working at the U.S. National IPR Coordination Center. However, serious concerns remain, including with respect to the widespread availability of pirated and counterfeit goods in Mexico. Criminal enforcement efforts overall suffer from improved but still weak coordination among federal, state and municipal officials. In addition, the need for increased resources for and more IPR prosecutions, and the need for deterrent level penalties against infringers remains crucial to addressing high levels of IP infringement in Mexico. The United States continues to encourage Mexico to provide its customs officials with ex officio authority, and to enact legislation to strengthen its copyright regime, including by implementing the WIPO Internet Treaties and by providing stronger protection against the unauthorized camcording of motion pictures in theaters. In addition, the United States also urges Mexico to implement its longstanding NAFTA obligations to provide an effective system for protecting against the unfair commercial use, as well as unauthorized disclosure, of undisclosed test or other data generated to obtain marketing approval for pharmaceutical products. Mexico should also clarify its system for addressing patent issues expeditiously in connection with applications to market pharmaceutical products. The United States looks forward to Mexico's signature, ratification, and implementation of the ACTA, which Mexico negotiated. The United States looks forward to continuing to work with Mexico to address these and other matters.

Norway

Norway remains on the Watch List in 2012. The United States is encouraged by the process under which Norway is considering draft legislation to combat piracy over the Internet. However, the United States remains concerned about the lack of product patent protection for certain pharmaceutical products; Norway's regulatory framework for process patents filed prior

47