Ukraine Disappointed to be on Piracy Watch List but Vows Further IPR Reform

Ukraine Disappointed to be on Piracy Watch List but Vows Further IPR Reform

KYIV, Ukraine, May 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --



The Ukrainian government has expressed its "disappointment" at the decision by the
United States Trade Representative (USTR) to place it on a piracy watch list at a time
when seizures of pirated digital media in the country have gone up five-fold.



Ukraine is now a Priority Foreign Country (PFC), according to the USTR's "301 List", a
decision Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister, Konstantyn Gryshchenko, said "ignores the
efforts of the Ukrainian government" in improving the legal framework and enforcing
intellectual property rights (IPR).



But despite his disappointment he said his country will continue efforts to improve
its standing in the area of IPR.



"Just this past month we have closed two internet portals used to distribute
unlicensed content and we are introducing into the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) two
separate bills that will, among other things, increase penalties for copyright
infringement," he said.



"Of course we will work with the United States and other nations in this area but I
have to say today's disappointing decision is not conducive to such cooperation."



Gryshchenko said his government has also empowered the country's Prosecutor General to
oversee observance of intellectual property rights in government ministries and
departments. There is also UAH100 million (USD12.35 million) set aside to ensure all
state-owned computers operate legal software.



The President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, has vowed to personally supervise
Ukraine's war on piracy, not because of the listing by the USTR, but as part of a
long-term strategy to nurture and grow innovative technology industries.



The government believes a key factor in improving Ukraine's standing in this area is
public awareness, with young people, in particular, set to be the target of a campaign to
develop greater respect for IPR and to reduce tolerance of digital piracy.



Meantime Gryshchenko said that in light of the efforts his nation is already making,
he will ask the USTR to take Ukraine off the "301 List" six months from now.




Ukraine Monitor

CONTACT: Andrea Giannotti (+44(0)7825-892-640)


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