A top MPAA priority is more U.S. cooperation with foreign govts. ...
A top MPAA priority is more U.S. cooperation with foreign govts. on Internet piracy, “the real dagger at the heart” of the movie industry, Chmn. Dan Glickman told the Senate Finance Committee at a Tues. trade hearing. But after…
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Timely, relevant coverage of court proceedings and agency rulings involving tariffs, classification, valuation, origin and antidumping and countervailing duties. Each day, Trade Law Daily subscribers receive a daily headline email, in-depth PDF edition and access to all relevant documents via our trade law source document library and website.
his declaration, Glickman barely touched on the topic in or after his prepared testimony. Glickman sought the international cooperation in responding to Chmn. Baucus’s (D- Mont.) request for witnesses to offer 3 recommendations for govt. trade action. The U.S. free trade agreement with S. Korea is a model for working with other nations, Glickman’s prepared remarks said. It raises the bar from previous FTAs for IPR protection, requiring S. Korea to pass an anticamcording law and using one of 2 “side letters” to discuss online enforcement, Glickman said. Camcorded films often are uploaded or burned for street distribution before licensed DVDs hit the market. Glickman is “disappointed” that Russia hasn’t done its duty under a side letter accompanying its trade agreement with the U.S., Glickman said, echoing recent International Intellectual Property Alliance complaints that Russia missed deadlines in the pact and failed to act against infringing websites (WID June 5 p5). Protecting IPR is “foundational” for Russian accession to the WTO, Glickman said, crediting that country with allowing market access to MPAA members’ films, unlike China. He found sympathy from Sen. Bunning (R-Ky.), who said the U.S. will have more power over Russia if it fights WTO accession: “We still have the bag that they want.” The U.S. should enforce existing laws and accords before eyeing trade system reforms, Glickman said: “Negotiation, agreements and even favorable WTO decisions work only if they are enforced.” Congress should “support a free and open trade agenda,” holding other countries to a high IPR standard, Glickman said, stressing the importance of overseas resources and training programs. “USTR is doing a good job, but needs better resources, in particular in enforcement,” he said: It’s “even more important than statutory changes.” And “nothing gets our trade agenda moving better than Congressional oversight,” he said. Baucus agreed the U.S. has spent “far more time negotiating new deals than enforcing those already in place.” Ranking Member Grassley (R-Ia.) said “we've been careful, perhaps too careful in enforcing our rights.”