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patent protection, in addition to improving the enforcement of trademarks and providing enhanced protection for trade secrets.

Additional examples of strengthened intellectual property rules within the past year include the following:

  • In April 1990, we secured Malaysian government commitments to amend its copyright law and accede to the Berne Convention by the end of 1990.
  • We signed an agreement in March 1989 with Indonesia establishing bilateral copyright relations and in October 1989 Indonesia enacted its first patent law.
  • In April 1990, the EC tabled a legal text in the Uruguay Round negotiations on the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.
  • We signed trade agreements with Poland and Czechoslovakia in March and April 1990, respectively, which include strong terms for intellectual property rights protection.
  • In March 1990, Yugoslavia amended its patent law to extend the term of protection to 20 years from filing, among other improvements.
  • Chile passed a new patent law in January 1990.
  • In January 1990, the FRG increased penalties for intellectual property infringement.
  • Saudi Arabia implemented a new copyright law in December 1989.
  • The PRC submitted a draft copyright law to the National People's Congress Standing Committee and patent law amendments to the State Council in December 1989.
  • Colombia passed a law defining computer software as a copyrightable material in June 1989.
  • In November 1989, Portugal increased penalties for audio piracy.
  • Italy introduced legislation to prevent computer software piracy in November 1989.
  • Spain extended patent protection to U.S. plant varieties on a reciprocal basis in June 1989.