USTR Extends Investigation into Ukrainian IPR Violations

The U.S. Trade Representative extended the Section 301 investigation of Ukraine for three months, pledging to make a determination by Feb. 28, 2014, on Ukrainian intellectual property rights (IPR) violations. Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 permits the U.S. to retaliate against unfair trade practices (here). USTR launched the investigation in May, labeling Ukraine a priority foreign country. “This designation is the culmination of several years of growing concern over widespread IP theft, including the growing entrenchment of IPR infringement that is facilitated by government actors,” the USTR report said at the time (here). Further information: Elizabeth Kendall, 202-395-3580, Isabella Detwiler, 202-395-6146, or Shannon Nestor, 202-395-3150.