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  and Neighboring Rights, which expanded certain rights and remedies, and entered into effect on January 1, 2003.

The Greek General Secretary of the Ministry of Interior signed a circular directing the appropriate use and procurement of all government software.

The Ho Chi Minh City Economic Police in Vietnam raided a workshop producing high quality counterfeit famous name brand shoes and resulted in the seizure of 23 truckloads of fake components, supplies, and production equipment. 

August

 On August 6, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines became party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty.

On August 10, Thailand's Economic Crimes Investigation Division conducted Thailand's first successful raid against a cyber-pirate, shutting down an operation that marketed pirate software, music, and movies over the internet and at local shopping malls.

On August 15th, the Kyrgyz Republic became party to the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty and became a party to the Trademark Law Treaty.

<li>Colombia passed Decree 2085 which provides data exclusivity protection as provided for under TRIPS Article 39.3.</li>

<li>From February to August of 2002, El Salvador conducted a joint audit with the Business Software Alliance (BSA) of all government computers within the executive branch and several autonomous agencies and agreed to replace all unregistered software.</li>

<li>The Qatar Ministry of Economy and Commerce established a committee to supervise a new trademark enforcement campaign and began a renewed emphasis on combating trademark violations.</li>

<li>Saudi Arabia issued an amendment to the trademarks law, effective December 2002, providing for trademark protection for renewable 10-year terms of exclusive ownership. Penalties allow for fines up to sr 1 million (USD 267,000) and jail time up to one year, which may be doubled for repeat offenders.</li> </ul>

September

<ul> <li>On September 1, Estonia's new Penal Code and the new Misdemeanor Law were implemented, criminalizing IPR violations and increasing possible fines.</li> </ul> May 1, 2003