of pirate and counterfeit products continues to be a serious concern. Counterfeit and pirated products sold in or exported from Thailand include optical discs video games, clothing/apparel, watches, leather goods, jewelry, lighters, auto parts, mobile phone accessories, batteries, and wine. Thailand also has one of the highest end-user piracy rates in Asia; and book piracy and broadcast piracy are growing problems. On the legislative side, Thailand enacted a law on geographical indications that became effective on April 28, 2004. However, the Thai government has failed to enact an optical disc law, and concerns remain over deficiencies in the current version of the optical disc bill and its draft implementing regulations. In addition, while the draft amendments to the Copyright Act include important improvements, some additional strengthening of the current draft is needed. These draft amendments have not yet been submitted to Parliament. The United States will continue to work with Thailand to address our significant concerns regarding its intellectual property laws and enforcement, and to urge the Thai Government to take swift action to implement specific elements of the IPR Action Plan. The Thai Government's prompt and full implementation of the IPR Action Plan will provide an essential foundation for the successful conclusion of an FTA between our two governments.
TURKMENISTAN
Turkmenistan has not satisfied all of its IPR obligations under the 1993 U.S.-Turkmenistan Trade Agreement. For example, Turkmenistan has not updated its copyright law to reflect international standards and has not signed the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works or the Geneva Phonograms Convention. Furthermore, Turkmenistan does not provide explicit protection for sound recordings or pre-existing works. IPR enforcement is inadequate. Turkmenistan has not adopted criminal penalties for IPR violations, and the Turkmen Customs Code does not provide ex officio authority to suspend the release of suspected infringing material at the border. The United States urges Turkmenistan to adopt the needed legal reforms and commence activities to strengthen IPR protection and enforcement.
URUGUAY
The Uruguayan Government has yet to pass the implementing regulations for its 2002 copyright legislation to improve and strengthen Uruguayan copyright protection. IPR enforcement remains ineffective as evidenced by the Uruguayan Supreme Court pardoning of a known trademark infringer. Furthermore, the Uruguayan Government has not ratified the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty and the WIPO Copyright Treaty. Uruguay also fails to provide adequate protection for confidential test data as required by TRIPS. We urge the Uruguayan Government to quickly pass implementing regulations for the new copyright legislation, ratify the WIPO Internet Treaties, address its deficiencies in enforcement against piracy and counterfeiting and provide protection for confidential test data.
UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan has recently announced a plan to amend its IPR laws, improve its IPR enforcement, and join both the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and the Geneva Phonograms Convention. Nevertheless, Uzbekistan still appears to be out of compliance with its intellectual property commitments under the 1994 U.S.-Uzbekistan Trade Agreement, particularly with respect to copyright protection and enforcement. Uzbekistan does not provide protection for sound recordings or pre-existing works. IPR enforcement remains very weak, and weak criminal penalties for IPR violations do not serve as an effective deterrent. The United States urges Uzbekistan to remedy deficiencies in its IPR laws and to take measures to improve enforcement.
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