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30
- Trinidad and Tobago proclaimed IPR legislation to finish implementing our bilateral IPR agreement.
- The Government of Taiwan passed amendments to the copyright law on December 30.
- Thailand opened an Intellectual Property and International Trade Court.
- Vietnam ratified the Bilateral Copyright Agreement negotiated with the United States.
- Poland's Central Board of Customs announced that customs authorities will enforce copyright laws utilizing a new customs code (in force in 1998). According to Customs officials, the new code will simplifY customs procedures and make it easier for authorities to seize infringing goods.
- On December 26, Mexico passed an amendment to its 1994 Industrial Property Law, adding a chapter protecting the layout design of integrated circuits.
- Belarus became a member of the Berne Convention on December 12.
- The Dominican Republic became a member of the Berne Convention on December 24.
- The Government of Turkey issued regulations equalizing taxes on domestic and foreign films.
1998
January
- Philippine's new IPR Code took effect on January 1.
- Two laws came into effect in South Africa on January 1: the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Act - which amended several acts, including the Patent Act, the Copyright Act, and the Trademarks Act - and the Counterfeit Goods Act.
- The Government of Bulgaria adopted a CD plant licensing scheme.
- Government of Romania passed the Pipeline Protection Ordinance on January 30.
- Romania acceded to the agreements establishing international classifications in the industrial property field and the Trademark Treaty Law on January 8. The Romanian Parliament also ratified the Madrid Agreement.
