Officials from about 10 federal U.S. agencies, including the Department of State, departments of commerce, justice, treasury, labor, health and agriculture participated in the public hearing. At the hearing representatives of Bulgaria, Italy, Paraguay, Philippines and Ukraine delivered brief reports on the protection of intellectual property rights.

Head of the State Intellectual Property Service of Ukraine M.Kovinya and Acting Head of the Economic Office of the Embassy of Ukraine in the U.S. I.Baranetskyi presented official position of Ukraine on the above issue. The American side was provided with a comprehensive information regarding current situation and ways to improve the protection of intellectual property rights in Ukraine.

During the visit to the USA M.Kovinya had the meetings at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative the International Intellectual Property Alliance. The American partners were informed of specific steps in enforcement and combating infringement of intellectual property rights in Ukraine. Providing the American side with additional information and objective arguments will help to review the status of Ukraine in "Special Report 301" in  a fair way.

The final decision to review the status of Ukraine in "Special 301 Review" in 2014 will be made by USTR by May 1, 2014.

 

Photo courtesy of USTR

The Special 301 Interagency Panel hears testimony from industry and government representatives

More details can be found at: http://1.usa.gov/1bKHX9W