ISLAMABAD, March 29: The United States has started review of Pakistan’s Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) regime as part of the special 301 annual review. An official told Dawn on Thursday that the report was expected to be released in the first week of April, which rated countries according to the status of implementation of the IPR regime.The special 301 annual review, gives statutory authority to the government to impose trade sanctions against countries seen as violating US trading rights.

According to the official the Special 301 report is issued 30 days after the release of the annual report on foreign trade barriers faced by US companies, which is normally issued on March 31.

Countries are rated by how problematic they are found to be, the worst being “priority foreign countries,” followed by the “priority watch list” and the “watch list.” Pakistan was once listed on priority watch list — highly violating country of IPRs regime.

Under Special 301, USTR evaluates the “adequacy and effectiveness” of countries’ protection for US Intellectual Property Rights, and whether access to their markets is “fair and equitable.” For the few countries deemed to be the worst offenders – the priority foreign countries – the office decides whether to launch an investigation.

Two petitions have been filed with USTR — one each by pharmaceutical companies and media group — print and electronic — termed Pakistani IPR regime in violation of the US trading regime.