The Office of the United States Trade Representative published the Special 301 Report in April 2020, reviewing global developments on trade and intellectual property. Countries in the Middle East and North Africa on the Priority Watch List are Algeria and Saudi Arabia. The Watch List includes Egypt, Kuwait Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates.
It is worth noting that Kuwait was moved down from the Priority Watch list to the Watch List after passing the 2019 Copyright and Related Rights Law and the Implementing Regulations, signifying its commitment to reform its copyright regime, including in the area of enforcement. Such initiatives imply that there is a profound commitment to IP, which will undoubtedly increase and foster the global incentives for research and investment in these countries, and the region as a whole.
The Special 301 Report is prepared annually by the Office of the United States Trade Representative under Section 301 as amended of the Trade Act of 1974.
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