Big Changes in US International IP Policy: The 2026 USTR Special 301 Report

This webinar will provide an overview of significant IP policy concerns across different countries and regions based on IPO’s comments made during the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) Special 301 review and report. The panelists will go around the world in one hour, noting issues that IP practitioners need to be aware of and pointing out global trends in IP law and policy. Since the last report, two countries, Argentina and Mexico, resolved many concerns, the EU was added to the Watch List, and one country, Vietnam, was designated a Priority Foreign Country – a designation that had not been used for many years. The USTR Special 301 Report is a Congressionally mandated annual review of the global state of intellectual property rights protection and enforcement. Each year, USTR invites public participation and comments in the review process assessment. IPO’s International Patent Law & Trade Committee (IPLTC) has led IPO’s engagement in this public process and consolidated input from IPO committees and members to prepare IPO’s comment letter. IPO’s comments, among other things, highlight many of the issues and concerns raised within IPO committee discussions throughout the year. For practitioners whose practices cross borders, don’t miss this webinar.