Page:Special 301 Report 1994.pdf/18

 APRIL–DECEMBER 1993

 Colombia 1993 significantly increased penalties for copyright infringement in its copyright law. (April)

On May 22, 1993, Italy's Prime Minister Ciampi issued a decree creating the Coordinating Committee on Combatting Video, Audio-Visual and Software Piracy.

Hungary concluded a comprehensive bilateral intellectual property rights agreement in July 1993. Legislation to implement the agreement will enter into force on July 1, 1994.

Russia's Supreme Soviet approved a new copyright law in July 1993. In addition, the Russian government established the Russian Intellectual Property Agency with a mandate to promote the enactment of strong IPR legislation and to develop regulations and enforcement mechanisms to curb violations.

In July 1993, the Royal Thai Government introduced in Parliament a bill to revise the existing copyright act which would substantially improve the legal protection for right holders.

In July 1993, Taiwan passed the Cable TV Law which provides a stronger legal basis to prosecute stations which show copyrighted programming without authorization. Taiwan also passed revised trademark and patent laws, in November and December 1993 respectively, to help bring its IPR protection closer to GATT TRIPS standards.

Venezuela passed a new copyright law that substantially improves protection. (August)

<li>El Salvador passed a new copyright law and passed amendments to the penal code with respect to penalties for copyright infringements. (August)</li>

<li>Honduras approved new copyright, patent and trademark laws and joined the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. (August)</li>

<li>The Government of the Philippines took several steps by executive authority which were called for under our bilateral intellectual property agreement. The steps included providing guidance to the interagency committee on intellectual property rights, providing guidance on the prosecution of copyright and trademark infringers, and issuing a memorandum of agreement regarding retransmission of copyrighted works.</li>

<li>In a September 24, 1993 ruling, Italy's Supreme Court of Cassation supported the use of preventive sequestration against video pirates overturning a June 1993 decision.</li> </ul>