It’s s301 time: here’s who’s up, and who’s down

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 4 Bouverie Street, London, EC4Y 8AX

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

It’s s301 time: here’s who’s up, and who’s down

The US government has published its annual list naming and shaming countries that it claims have failed to protect the IP rights of its citizens and companies

The US Trade Representative invites comments from IP users and owners as part of its research process: this year it says it received 42 comments from interested parties and 18 submissions from trading partners.

High on the list of concerns is what it calls “indigenous innovation” policies that may unfairly disadvantage US rights holders in China, and the continuing challenges of copyright piracy over the internet in countries such as Canada, Italy, and Russia.

On the 2012 Priority Watch List are Algeria, Argentina, Canada, Chile, China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine and Venezuela.

But it highlights a number of countries for praise: copyright reforms in Malaysia that increase the role of ISPs in tackling online infringement and preventing the circumvention of technological protection measures are lauded, as is Israel’s decision to enact a law against the unfair commercial use and unauthorised disclosure of test data generated to obtain marketing approval of pharmaceutical products.

China is also praised for putting Vice-Premier Wang Qishan in charge of overseeing IP enforcement.

But the country is criticised for failing to implement a consistent policy for tackling counterfeiting, with different regions imposing their own regimes, and in some cases demonstrating local protectionism.

India is told that the US will “closely monitor” developments relating to the compulsory licensing of patents after the country’s Controller of Patents granted local company Natco a compulsory licence over Bayer’s cancer-treating drug sorafenib.

This year’s report emphasises how the US is working with countries that appear on its list. No longer does it just highlight their sub-optimal IP practices: now it helps them to reform.

“[We] conduct extensive discussions with individual trading partners regarding their respective IPR regimes; encourage those trading partners to engage fully, and with the greatest degree of transparency, with the range of stakeholders on IPR matters; and identify, where possible, ways in which the United States can be of assistance.”

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

Natasha Ahmed said she was drawn to the firm’s commitment to artificial intelligence and tech transactions
As it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the firm discusses private equity interest in IP, why the UPC is a key priority, and being a ‘strategic adviser’ to clients
Thomas Rukin discusses IP due diligence, his joy at seeing colleagues succeed, and taking inspiration from Marcus Aurelius
The UK-India trade deal doesn’t mention legal services, showing India has again failed to agree on a move that could help foreign firms and local practitioners
Eva-Maria Strobel reveals some of the firm’s IP achievements and its approach to client relationships
Lateral hires at Thompson Hine and Pierson Ferdinand said they were inspired by fresh business opportunities and innovative strategies at their new firms
The launch of a new IP insurance product and INTA hiring a former USPTO commissioner were also among the top talking points this week
The firm explains how it secured a $170.6 million verdict against the government in a patent dispute surrounding airport technology, and why the case led to interest from other inventors
Developments of note included the court partially allowing a claim concerning confidentiality clubs and a decision involving technology used in football matches
The firm said adding capability in the French capital completes its coverage of all major patent litigation jurisdictions as it strives for UPC excellence
Gift this article