UAE removed from U.S. piracy watchlist

The UAE, recognised internationally for its excellent record in combating piracy and implementing intellectual property rights, has been removed from the U.S. Special 301 Watchlist - but Israel and the European Union stay on the Priority Watchlist.

There are five Arab countries on the list. Egypt and Lebanon remain on the Priority Watchlist, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia on the General Watchlist, while Qatar is back on the latter.

In removing the UAE from the watchlist, U.S.Trade Represent-ative (USTR) Robert Zoellick, said: "Late in March, the UAE made written commitments to provide comprehensive protection for U.S. pharmaceuticals including extending data exclusivity protection, providing joint review by health and finance ministry officials and allowing U.S. review of draft patent law for TRIPS compliance."

Even as the UAE came off the Watchlist, Qatar is back. It was removed last year, though it was on the list in 2000.

"Qatar has drafted amendments but has not yet signed and implemented the necessary legislation. Therefore, Qatar is being placed on the Watch List this year. The UAE's effort in combating piracy have been hailed widely.

The association of major software developers from the U.S. - the Business Software Alliance (BSA) says software piracy rates have halved here from 86 per cent in 1994 - comparable to the Middle East average level of 85 per cent - to just around 40 per cent.

In this year's USTR list are 51 countries led by Ukraine which continues to be listed as 'Priority Foreign Country'.