This page has been validated.
31
- Nicaragua signed a Bilateral Intellectual Property Rights Agreement with the United States on January 7 -- the first such agreement in Central America and the fourth in the hemisphere.
- Kazakhstan's new Criminal Code entered into force January 1.
February
- On February 24, the Japanese Supreme Court issued its first infringement finding under the "doctrine of equivalents," thereby broadening its interpretation of patent claims.
- Singapore enacted a copyright amendment bill.
- The San Marino Parliament approved a comprehensive update of San Marino IPR laws on February 25.
- Brazilian President Cardoso, signed into law both the Software Bill and amendments to the 1973 Copyright Law on February 19.
- The Guatemalan Congress approved ratification of the Paris Convention on February 18.
- In Turkey, Prime Minister Yilmaz issued a detailed directive to government agencies, requiring the use of licensed software.
- Ireland committed to expedite drafting of a comprehensive new copyright law, and also committed to draft and pass separate expedited legislation raising criminal penalties for copyright infringement.
March
- The Hong Kong legislature approved the "Prevention of Copyright Piracy" bill on March 25. The bill provides Hong Kong customs with the power to take stronger enforcement action against violators.
- Macao announced that it would establish a license regime on all imports and exports of compact disc production equipment and actual compact discs.
- The Bulgarian Minister of Interior announced on March 19 the formation of a new specialized anti-piracy unit within the National Service for combating organized crime in illicit CD production.
