Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ANKARA6068
2003-09-26 13:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ankara
Cable title:  

Proposal for a Joint Demarche with EU on

Tags:  ETRD KIPR TU 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS ANKARA 006068 

SIPDIS


TREASURY FOR OASIA
STATE FOR EB/TPP/MTA/IPC
DEPT PASS USTR FOR LERRION/MWU
USDOC FOR ITA/MAC/DDEFALCO


SENSITIVE


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KIPR TU
SUBJECT: Proposal for a Joint Demarche with EU on
Intellectual Property Issues (Action Request)


Ref: State 5808 and previous


UNCLAS ANKARA 006068

SIPDIS


TREASURY FOR OASIA
STATE FOR EB/TPP/MTA/IPC
DEPT PASS USTR FOR LERRION/MWU
USDOC FOR ITA/MAC/DDEFALCO


SENSITIVE


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KIPR TU
SUBJECT: Proposal for a Joint Demarche with EU on
Intellectual Property Issues (Action Request)


Ref: State 5808 and previous



1. (U) This cable contains an action request in para 4.



2. (SBU) In recent years, the USG has pressed Turkey to
improve protection of intellectual property rights,
particularly for pharmaceuticals manufacturers, but with
limited results thus far. Copyright and trademark
holders continue to face high levels of piracy and
counterfeiting. U.S. pharmaceuticals companies are hurt
by lack of data exclusivity and price discrimination
against imported drugs. Furthermore, there has been
some discussion of weakening patent protection for
pharmaceuticals (reftel).



3. (SBU) The EU and European companies have similar
views on IPR problems in Turkey. We understand that the
European pharmaceutical association is preparing a
sharply critical report on Turkey and may press for a
WTO case. Data exclusivity is a key common concern, as
it is both a WTO and EU customs union requirement. We
believe that the GOT will give added weight to these
issues to the extent that it perceives them to become a
serious obstacle to EU accession.



4. (SBU) Embassy proposes a joint U.S. - EU demarche to
the Turks on IPR, specifically issues facing the
pharmaceutical industry, and requests that Washington
agencies provide appropriate instructions. Edelman