<h2 class="posttitle">
USTR Releases List Of Possibly IP Infringing Markets </h2>
<small><a href="http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2011/12/20/ustr-releases-list-of-possibly-ip-infringing-markets/?utm_source=post&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alerts">http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2011/12/20/ustr-releases-list-of-possibly-ip-infringing-markets/?utm_source=post&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alerts</a><br>
Published on 20 December 2011 @ 10:55 pm</small>
<p>By <a href="http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/author/william/" title="Posts by William New" rel="author">William New</a>, Intellectual Property Watch</p>
<p>The United States Trade Representative’s office today released
its second report in a year on markets it has labeled “notorious” based
on unofficial comments it has received. The report identifies physical
and internet-based marketplaces around the world that may be hotbeds for
the sale of intellectual property infringing goods. <span id="more-18686"></span></p>
<p>Among the alleged major problem markets are several in China, though
USTR said some Chinese companies like search engine Baidu have been
removed from the list for the efforts they have made to address piracy. A
range of other countries, from Russia to Canada, are mentioned as well.
</p>
<p>“The Notorious Markets List identifies selected markets, including
ones on the Internet, that are reportedly engaged in piracy and
counterfeiting, according to information submitted to the Office of the
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in response to a request for comments,”
USTR said. “These are marketplaces that have been the subject of
enforcement action or that may merit further investigation for possible
intellectual property rights infringements.” </p>
<p>“Inclusion in the Notorious Markets List does not reflect a finding
of a violation of law or the United States Government’s analysis of the
general IPR protection and enforcement climate in the country concerned;
such analysis is contained in the annual Special 301 Report issued at
the end of April,” it said. “However, the United States urges the
responsible authorities to intensify efforts to combat piracy and
counterfeiting in these and similar markets, and to use the information
contained in the Notorious Markets List to pursue legal actions where
appropriate.” </p>
<p>Today’s report is the result of an “out-of-cycle” review launched in September. </p>
<p>The markets identified are potentially big enough to have a negative impact on the US economy, it said. </p>
<p>Several US industry associations praised the report, including the
International Intellectual Property Alliance, the US Chamber of Commerce
Global IP Center, and the Motion Picture Association of America. </p>
<p>“USTR’s report highlights the need for accountability in the online
space and continuing vigilance in physical piracy markets,” IIPA Counsel
Steve Metalitz said in a release. “This requires stronger laws and
stricter law enforcement in foreign countries hosting notorious
marketplaces, whether online or in the physical world. It also requires
all actors in the copyright value chain to take greater responsibility
toward finding solutions to the growing problem of online and physical
copyright theft. We are also pleased that USTR has, for the first time,
specifically identified sites based on their distribution of unlawful
circumvention technologies.” IIPA is a consortium of most major US
rights holder industry groups. </p>
<p>The USTR list is <a href="http://www.ustr.gov/webfm_send/3215">available here</a>. </p>