The Special 301 Report for 2014 reveals the challenges (for example book and optical disc counterfeiting and piracy) that Pakistan has to overcome in its way for IP protection improvement. The review regarding Pakistan defines the improvement made for the moment as “not significant”. Therefore, these are some of the recommendations for Pakistan, issued in the 2014 Special 301 Report: “Pakistan should ensure that its enforcement officials can exercise ex officio authority without the need for a formal complaint by a rights holder, and should provide for deterrent-level penalties for criminal IPR infringement. Pakistan should also take the necessary steps to reform its copyright law to address the piracy challenges of the digital age. The United States continues to encourage Pakistan to provide an effective system for protecting against unfair commercial use, as well as unauthorized disclosure, of tests and other data generated to obtain marketing approval for pharmaceutical products. The United States appreciates Pakistan’s interest in improving its IPR environment and looks forward to working with Pakistan to address these and other issues, including in connection with Pakistan’s implementation of the IPO Act.”
The entire report can be found here.
