Special 301 Reports in relation to European Union development policy

3.12.2012

Question for written answer E-011001-12
to the Commission
Rule 117
Amelia Andersdotter (Verts/ALE)

Every year since 1989, the Office of the United States Trade Representative has drafted a ‘Special 301 Report’ evaluating the intellectual property rights frameworks of third countries. Countries identified in the Special 301 Reports as ‘priority foreign countries’ may be subject to trade retaliation from the US Government until such time as it is satisfied that intellectual property rights protection is adequate.

Countries in the global south, including those which are beneficiaries of Commission development aid for institutional stability and educational systems, are sometimes listed in the Special 301 Reports.

Has the Commission evaluated what adverse effects the threat of sanctions, or the use of the 301 Reports as a soft law tool to force a reform of IPR enforcement in the beneficiary countries, has on institutional stability and access to education in those countries? What is the Commission doing to ensure that over-implementation of IPR enforcement in countries in receipt of development aid does not lead to arbitrary restrictions of freedom of speech or expression?

OJ C 339 E, 20/11/2013