JORDAN WELCOMES SPECIAL 301 RESULTS FOR 2008

UNCLAS AMMAN 001326 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR STATE FOR EB/TPP/IPE STATE FOR NEA/ELA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD KIPR JO SUBJECT: JORDAN WELCOMES SPECIAL 301 RESULTS FOR 2008 REF: STATE 43138 ¶1. (U) Econoffs delivered reftel points on April 29 to Montaser Okla, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT),commending Jordan's efforts on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection, and urging continued engagement with the USG on outstanding IPR issues. Okla expressed commitment to addressing IPR issues of concern to the USG. ¶2. (SBU) Regarding copyrights, National Library Director General Mamoun Talhouni has agreed to draft amendments to Jordan's copyright law to bring it into full compliance with international obligations and standards. He has requested USG technical assistance in this regard, particularly in the area of Technological Protection Measures. ¶3. (SBU) Okla noted that the Jordanian government is still committed to establishing an umbrella IPR organization that would bolster and unify enforcement efforts. He noted, however, that there is a current aversion within Parliament towards creating new government entities, which raises political considerations. ¶4. (U) Okla confirmed that the GOJ would send representatives to join the next round of negotiations for the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). ¶5. (SBU) Regarding ex officio authority for customs officials, Okla noted that the Jordan Customs Department does not report to MOIT, but commented that there might be some liability concerns about giving such discretion to customs officials due to a lack of technical expertise in determining counterfeit goods. Econoffs reiterated that USG provision of training aims to help combat this problem, and referred to Article 4.26 of the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement, which requires authorities to be able to initiate criminal actions and border measure actions ex officio without the need for a formal compliant by a private party or right holder. Post plans to follow up on this issue with Jordan Customs. Visit Amman's Classified Website at: http://www.state.gov.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/ HALE