Page:Special 301 Report 1998.pdf/31

  Nicaragua signed a Bilateral Intellectual Property Rights Agreement with the United States on January 7 -- the first such agreement in Central America and the fourth in the hemisphere.

Kazakhstan's new Criminal Code entered into force January 1. 

February


 * On February 24, the Japanese Supreme Court issued its first infringement finding under the "doctrine of equivalents," thereby broadening its interpretation of patent claims.


 * Singapore enacted a copyright amendment bill.


 * The San Marino Parliament approved a comprehensive update of San Marino IPR laws on February 25.


 * Brazilian President Cardoso, signed into law both the Software Bill and amendments to the 1973 Copyright Law on February 19.


 * The Guatemalan Congress approved ratification of the Paris Convention on February 18.


 * In Turkey, Prime Minister Yilmaz issued a detailed directive to government agencies, requiring the use of licensed software.


 * Ireland committed to expedite drafting of a comprehensive new copyright law, and also committed to draft and pass separate expedited legislation raising criminal penalties for copyright infringement.

March

 The Hong Kong legislature approved the "Prevention of Copyright Piracy" bill on March 25. The bill provides Hong Kong customs with the power to take stronger enforcement action against violators.

Macao announced that it would establish a license regime on all imports and exports of compact disc production equipment and actual compact discs.

The Bulgarian Minister of Interior announced on March 19 the formation of a new specialized anti-piracy unit within the National Service for combating organized crime in illicit CD production. 