May 15, 2008

By By Susan Butler, N.Y.

Canada joins China and Russia today as one of the top countries where intellectual property protections are most problematic for the American creative community. This distinction comes from the "Watch List" in an annual report released by the co-chairs of the Congressional International Anti-Piracy Caucus (IAPC).

Co-chairs of this bipartisan caucus are Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.), Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.), Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).

Canada makes the top hit list since it has failed to join the rest of its partners in the developed world in modernizing its copyright laws to address digital challenges to copyright protection.

"China continues to rely upon an administrative enforcement system that has
proven to be ineffective in addressing copyright theft," says Neil Turkewitz, RIAA executive VP international. "That alongside its maintenance of market access restrictions that prevent the full maturation of a healthy cultural marketplace has landed it on this list once again. Russia's inclusion reflects its continued lack of compliance with the intellectual property agreement reached with the U.S. Trade Representative, referred to as 'the roadmap to WTO accession.' Problems remain particularly acute in the area of Internet piracy and the operation of rogue collecting societies."

The IAPC also included Mexico, Spain and Greece on the list.

The caucus members work with the U.S. government's international trade partners to secure the enactment of strong copyright laws and the vigilant enforcement of those laws. They also support government efforts to deal with the problems of piracy through legislation and international trade agreements.

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