Global Software Piracy | connecting-the-dots

Section 301 of the US Trade Act, 1974, (and its enhancements via the Trade Act, 1984, and the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act, 1988) seeks to combat global software piracy, with non-compliance by partner countries potentially leading to trade sanctions.

By 30 April each year, the US Trade Representative (USTR) publishes a Special 301 report placing countries on a ‘Watch List’, a ‘Priority Watch List’, or a ‘Priority Foreign Country’ list, indicating progressively greater US concern about higher degree of non-compliance.

If the response is deemed insufficient, the country could be moved to a higher ‘censure’ category, or be slapped with trade sanctions.

Multilateral enforcement of stronger intellectual property protection appears to be an effective instrument in curbing piracy.

Intellectual property piracy pertains to the duplication and sale of copyrighted goods – including software, books, videos, and sound recordings – without the copyright holder's permission.

Piracy also leads to loss of government revenue, to the extent pirated products are sold in the ‘grey’ market. Ideas for India