US removes RP from its ‘Priority Watchlist’ on IPR

US removes RP from its ‘Priority Watchlist’ on IPR

 

By BERNIE CAHILES-MAGKILAT

After four years, the United States has removed the Philippines from the "special or priority" watchlist from the US Trade Representative’s (USTR) Special 301 Priority Watchlist on intellectual priority rights (IPR).

Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila, who is in Tokyo as part of the Philippine economic mission, received the news directly from USTR Robert Portman who called early morning Wednesday.

"The US has appropriately recognized our efforts by removing us from the Priority List in view of very substantive progress especially in enforcement activities and in special programs such as the creation of special IP courts," Favila said.

During their phone conversation, the USTR referred to Favila’s request to give Philippines a fair assessment in view of significant strides it has made in addressing IPR issues. Favila discussed the country’s IPR development during a one-on-one meeting with Portman on the sidelines of the APEC Trade Ministers Meeting in Busan, Korea in November 2005.

Portman said the special out-of-cycle review by the USTR revealed that there is serious commitment from the Philippines to enforce IPR protection policies.

It will be recalled that the Philippines has been in the USTR Special 301 Priority Watchlist for the past four years.

Favila clarified though that this development is just the first hurdle.

"We have been delisted from the Priority List but still in the ordinary list," he said.

Inclusion in the Special 301 Priority List makes a country vulnerable to trade sanctions from the US and possible withdrawal of voluntary concessions such as those under the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

"With the improvement in our classification in the watchlist, the threat of sanctions is removed and we are able to concentrate more fully on our IPR Work Plan. We will be relentless in our efforts and I am confident hat we will be able to get entirely out of the watchlist soon enough," Favila added.

Favila credited this achievement to the clear positive policy directives from the President and to the close coordinated efforts of various government agencies and private sector spearheaded by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of the DTI.

"The IPR protection and enforcement program of the government can become sustainable if we see institutional support for a unified effort. We have made our breakthrough when all stakeholders have shown serious commitment to our IPR policies and have all assumed clear roles under our IPR work plan. I am pleased that the US has recognized the milestones in our IPR policies and enforcement."

Favila expressed optimism that this latest positive development will further perk up our trade with the US being a preferred business partner and add to the improved economic climate in the country which assures local and foreign businessmen of the government’s firm commitment in protecting investments. Inclusion in the Special 301 Priority List makes a country vulnerable to trade sanctions from the US and possible withdrawal of voluntary concessions such as those under the US Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

http://www.mb.com.ph/BSNS2006021756563.html