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Duty-free status for some items withdrawn

India one of worst violators of American patents and copyrights, accuses White House
WASHINGTON. Apr 30 : The Bush administration on Wednesday accused Taiwan. India and Thailand of being among the worst violators of American patents and copyright* and warned of retaliation If protection Is not provided. reports AP.
The statement marked the second straight year that India and Thailand were targeted by the administration for intensive ncgoUattons over alleged piracy of copyrights and patents.
The White House look special action against India, refm-postng import duties that had been suspended on some of its imports, in retaliation for what the US government considers violations of US Intellectual property rights.
US Trade Representative Carla Hills, in making the more general announcement, said that every year American companies lose 60 billion dollar In royalties on products from movies and computer software to pharmaceuticals.
"Improved protection for intellectual property is one of the Bush administration's top trade priorities." Hills said. "We arc firmly committed to achieving satisfactory results In these countries and we arc prepared to lake every *tcp that will move us towards that goal."
Hills also identified Norway and the 12 governments of the European Community as discriminating against US business in government procurement. The statements could result in US retaliation if the disputes arc not resolved.
By placing Taiwan, India and Thailand on the "Special 301" list. the US government In effect told them II would begin within 30 days an investigation of Intellectual property actions that could result In retaliation, including sharply higher US tariffs on their export*.
The announcement described Taiwan a* "a center for copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting of US product*."It said the US government Ts concerned about the overall protection accorded pharmaceutical* and their patent provision*" in India and Thailand.
Both India and Thailand first were included on the Hat in 1991.
Despite "substantial commitments" to protect material* including books, videos, sound recordings and software, the Indian actions have been Inadequate. the US government said.
Enforcement of Thailand's law protecting US film, sound recording and software Indus-
tries remains Ineffective, ft added.
Hills also said Egypt. Hungary. Korea. the Philippines, Poland and Thursday have been added to a "priority watch Hat" that already included Australia, Brazil and the European Community. That means her office will continue negotiating with those countries before initiating more serious action.
Twenty-two countries were included on the US "special
watch Hat" of those whose actions are considered less serious.They were Argentina. Canada. Chile. China. Colombia. Cyprus. Ecuador. El Salvador. Germany. Greece, Guatemala. Indonesia, Italy, Japan, New Zealand. Pakistan. Paraguay, Peru. Spain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.
Some penalties
Meanwhile USIS from Washington add* . The United Stale* ha* suspended duty-free treatment on Import* of some Indian product* In retaliation for violation of Intellectual properly rights.
President Bush announced . April 29 that India would no longer receive preferential tariff treatment for certain chemical* and pharmaceutical and related product* under the US Generalised System of Preferences (GSP).
The action goc* Into effect tn mid-May. 15 days after It Is published tn the federal regis-
This was meant to be a rille shot." US Trade Rcprcsen tatlvc Carla I Illi* told reporters following Bush* announcement. She said that it will affect a relatively small amount of trade -- about 60 million dollar In Indian export* to the United State*.
I.ast year, India exported some 524 million dollar in duly free gpods to the United States, including 34 million dollar in chemicals and pharmaceuticals. It total exports to the United Slate* totalled about 3,200 million dollar, z
Indian law prohibits patents for any substances intended for use or capable of being used as a food, medicine or drug. It also falls lo protect biotechnological inventions, methods of agriculture and horticulture and processes for treatment of humans, animals and plants.