YEAR 2003 SPECIAL 301 REVIEW - INPUT FROM SRI LANKA

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000305

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EB/IPC WILSON, DEPT PASS TO USTR ALVAREZ, DOC
LASHLEY, USPTO URBAN, AND LOC TEPP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIPR ETRD CE WTO USTR
SUBJECT: YEAR 2003 SPECIAL 301 REVIEW - INPUT FROM SRI LANKA

Ref: Colombo 257

Based on the government of Sri Lanka's (GSL) recent progress
in improving IPR protection (reviewed in reftel),post
believes that Sri Lanka should remain off the Special 301
watch list. While IPR protection here remains weak - as
detailed in the International Intellectual Property
Alliance's public comment submission - we sense a newfound
commitment on the part of GSL to change this. Post
recommends that we continue use the Trade and Investment
Framework Agreement (TIFA) process to push GSL to improve
IPR protection and enforcement. The TIFA is responsible for
the recent progress here, and the TIFA remains the most
effective tool for getting Sri Lanka where it needs to be on
IPR.

WILLS