USTR request for comments, “special 301” review of IP protections for 2022

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) today released for publication in the Federal Register a “request for comments” and notice of public hearing regarding the “special 301” review for 2022 and concerning the adequacy and effectiveness of the protection of intellectual property (IP) rights by trading partners of the United States.

The general deadline for comments is January 31, 2022.

The USTR notice [PDF 204 KB] indicates that it is expected that the “special 301” report for 2022 will be published on or about April 29, 2022. 

The USTR each year conducts a review to identify countries that deny adequate and effective protection of IP rights or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons who rely on IP protection. Based on this review, the U.S. Trade Representative determines which, if any, of these countries to identify as “priority foreign countries.”

USTR requests written comments that identify acts, policies, or practices that may form the basis of a country’s identification as a priority foreign country or placement on the “priority watch list” or “watch list.”
 

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