301 is ba-a-ack.
This time, people here are shocked because we have gone from being on the "general watch list" under "Special 301" to jumping up to being on the "priority nations list." That is to say, in the eyes of the Americans, Taiwan's performance in the protection of intellectual property rights has taken a great leap backward. If no agreement is reached in bilateral negotiations over the next six to nine months, it is very possible that the 301 law will be pulled out and tariff barriers and other trade restrictions will be used against Taiwan.
Why are we going back over the same old road? In recent years government and society have been trying to prevent pirating and diversify markets; haven't they devoted themselves conscientiously and made major achievements?
In the past few years, there have definitely been results in the banning of pirate publication of overseas books; and the proportion of exports going to the American market has gone from a peak of 48% to less than 30% at present. But Taiwan entrepreneurs have been repeatedly sued for infringement of American computer software, for manufacturing of compact discs without prior approval, and for MTV operators making profits from home use video discs. . . .
In fact, there have been quite positive responses from government ministries, the Legislative Yuan, the Judicial Yuan and affected private businessmen concerning the upholding of intellectual property rights.
At present the "Draft Amendments to the Copyright Law" is going through its third reading in the Legislative Yuan, and the Judicial Yuan will set up specialized courts. It is hoped that Taiwan can truly "turn danger into opportunity, and turn pressure into assistance," as Vincent C. Siew, Minister of Economic Affairs and chairman of the Task Force on Intellectual Property Rights Negotiation says, and in this way escape the infamous title "pirate kingdom"--externally building a better international image, and internally developing the intellectual property of Chinese to an even greater extent.
In order to enable readers to get more information on this topic, Sinorama has interviewed Minister of Economic Affaire Vincent C. Siew to get his position on the current negotiations with the U.S. and on what Chinese should know about 301.