MEDIA REACTION - IPR

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000374 SIPDIS STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, WHA/EPSC STATE FOR INR/IAA, PM, INL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC CI IPR SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - IPR On February 22, conservative, independent "La Tercera" (circ. 102,000) wrote an editorial entitled "Deficiencies in IPR Protection" on the International Intellectual Property Association (IIPA) request for the USTR to place Chile on its "Priority Watch List." Block quote: "Once again the lack of IPR protection in Chile has motivated criticism, especially the non-compliance of commitments acquired in this area as part of the FTAs.... Just a few days ago even the U.S. Ambassador (Kelly) reiterated that IPR and investment are unresolved issues for Chile in the framework of the FTA. This has motivated the International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA)... to request the USTR to place Chile on the Priority Watch List. The IIPA says that although Chilean legislation in this area has improved, it does not fully answer to the demands of the FTA's chapter on IPR.... What is most worrying is that the amount of money that Chile is losing because of its lack of IPR protection has not led to a determined or effective commitment on the part of the authorities to do something about this lack of protection, which among other things discourages investment, research on innovative technology, and patent registration, all of which undermine the creation of wealth and aggregate value, and reduce the possibility of creating new jobs." KELLY