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  Trinidad and Tobago proclaimed IPR legislation to finish implementing our bilateral IPR agreement.

The Government of Taiwan passed amendments to the copyright law on December 30.

Thailand opened an Intellectual Property and International Trade Court.

Vietnam ratified the Bilateral Copyright Agreement negotiated with the United States.

Poland's Central Board of Customs announced that customs authorities will enforce copyright laws utilizing a new customs code (in force in 1998). According to Customs officials, the new code will simplifY customs procedures and make it easier for authorities to seize infringing goods.

On December 26, Mexico passed an amendment to its 1994 Industrial Property Law, adding a chapter protecting the layout design of integrated circuits.

Belarus became a member of the Berne Convention on December 12.

<li>The Dominican Republic became a member of the Berne Convention on December 24.</li>

<li>The Government of Turkey issued regulations equalizing taxes on domestic and foreign films.</li> </ul>

January

<ul> <li>Philippine's new IPR Code took effect on January 1.</li>

<li>Two laws came into effect in South Africa on January 1: the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Act - which amended several acts, including the Patent Act, the Copyright Act, and the Trademarks Act - and the Counterfeit Goods Act.</li>

<li>The Government of Bulgaria adopted a CD plant licensing scheme.</li>

<li>Government of Romania passed the Pipeline Protection Ordinance on January 30.</li>

<li>Romania acceded to the agreements establishing international classifications in the industrial property field and the Trademark Treaty Law on January 8. The Romanian Parliament also ratified the Madrid Agreement.</li> </ul>