U.S. Trade Office Upgrades Thailand’s IP Protection Status

Thailand resolved some U.S. concerns on protection of intellectual property rights in areas such as enforcement, patents and pharmaceuticals, trademarks, and copyright, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced Dec. 15.

As a result, USTR upgraded Thailand’s status from the Special 301 priority watch list to the watch list. Countries that are placed on the priority watch list fail to address widespread and egregious violations of intellectual property rights, USTR has said. Those countries could face U.S. sanctions if they fail to take corrective action and are listed as priority foreign countries.

Thailand took steps to improve its intellectual ...