Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUDAPEST331
2009-05-04 11:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:
HUNGARY'S RESPONSE TO THE 2009 SPECIAL 301 DEMARCHE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHUP #0331 1241118 ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY AD66D7DB AMG0187-695) R 041118Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4127 INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000331
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION
STATE PASS JLAMORE, USPTO PASS JURBAN, DOJ PASS JZACHARIA,
NSC PASS DBELL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRDKIPR EU HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY'S RESPONSE TO THE 2009 SPECIAL 301 DEMARCHE
REF: A. SECSTATE 42792
B. BUDAPEST 155
C. BUDAPEST 297
UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000331
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION
STATE PASS JLAMORE, USPTO PASS JURBAN, DOJ PASS JZACHARIA,
NSC PASS DBELL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRDKIPR EU HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY'S RESPONSE TO THE 2009 SPECIAL 301 DEMARCHE
REF: A. SECSTATE 42792
B. BUDAPEST 155
C. BUDAPEST 297
1. (SBU) On April 29, Pol/EconOff delivered the demarche (Ref
A) talking points to Lazslo Varkonyi, Trade Representative,
Ministry of Economy (MOE),and Andras Szorenyi and David
Horvath, U.S. Desk Officers, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA). All were pleased that the USTR recognized the efforts
of the National Board against Counterfeiting and Piracy
(HENT),and recent successful raids and seizures of pirated
goods by customs agents.
2. (SBU) Noting the USTR,s concerns with deficient
prosecution and lenient court judgments, both MOE and MFA
interlocutors stated that because the judicial branch is
independent, it is the hardest to influence. However, Post
believes that conferences and training provided by external
sources, such as NGO's and ILEA appear to have, as the
Hungarian Patent Office notes (Ref B),a positive effect.
3. (SBU) Varkonyi stated that "the list is not the most
important deterrent, although an outside view is helpful as a
reference point and motivation to continue efforts in
protecting IP - an intrinsic interest of Hungary."
4. (SBU) Currently, the Prime Minister's Office and the
Hungarian Patent Office are the main driving forces behind
the HENT efforts to address IP issues. Both offices are in
the midst of restructuring and changin leadership following
the election of Prime Minister Bajnai (Ref C). In telephone
conversations on April 29 with Pol/EconOff, representatives
in both offices expressed strong interest in drafting a work
plan to address internet-based digital piracy, and the mass
production and street sales of pirated audio and visual
materials. Post will continue to work with the USTR to
develop a work plan to eventually remove Hungary from the
watchlist.
Levine
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION
STATE PASS JLAMORE, USPTO PASS JURBAN, DOJ PASS JZACHARIA,
NSC PASS DBELL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRDKIPR EU HU
SUBJECT: HUNGARY'S RESPONSE TO THE 2009 SPECIAL 301 DEMARCHE
REF: A. SECSTATE 42792
B. BUDAPEST 155
C. BUDAPEST 297
1. (SBU) On April 29, Pol/EconOff delivered the demarche (Ref
A) talking points to Lazslo Varkonyi, Trade Representative,
Ministry of Economy (MOE),and Andras Szorenyi and David
Horvath, U.S. Desk Officers, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MFA). All were pleased that the USTR recognized the efforts
of the National Board against Counterfeiting and Piracy
(HENT),and recent successful raids and seizures of pirated
goods by customs agents.
2. (SBU) Noting the USTR,s concerns with deficient
prosecution and lenient court judgments, both MOE and MFA
interlocutors stated that because the judicial branch is
independent, it is the hardest to influence. However, Post
believes that conferences and training provided by external
sources, such as NGO's and ILEA appear to have, as the
Hungarian Patent Office notes (Ref B),a positive effect.
3. (SBU) Varkonyi stated that "the list is not the most
important deterrent, although an outside view is helpful as a
reference point and motivation to continue efforts in
protecting IP - an intrinsic interest of Hungary."
4. (SBU) Currently, the Prime Minister's Office and the
Hungarian Patent Office are the main driving forces behind
the HENT efforts to address IP issues. Both offices are in
the midst of restructuring and changin leadership following
the election of Prime Minister Bajnai (Ref C). In telephone
conversations on April 29 with Pol/EconOff, representatives
in both offices expressed strong interest in drafting a work
plan to address internet-based digital piracy, and the mass
production and street sales of pirated audio and visual
materials. Post will continue to work with the USTR to
develop a work plan to eventually remove Hungary from the
watchlist.
Levine