83_FR_7867 83 FR 7831 - 2018 Special 301 Review: Identification of Countries Under Section 182 of the Trade Act of 194; Request for Public Comment and Notice of a Public Hearing; Correction

83 FR 7831 - 2018 Special 301 Review: Identification of Countries Under Section 182 of the Trade Act of 194; Request for Public Comment and Notice of a Public Hearing; Correction

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 36 (February 22, 2018)

Page Range7831-7832
FR Document2018-03562

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) published a document in the Federal Register on December 27, 2017 (82 FR 61363), concerning a request for comments and notices of intent to appear at a public hearing on Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974, commonly referred to as the ``Special 301'' provisions. The dates specified in the notice have changed. Additional information on the hearing is also provided.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 36 (Thursday, February 22, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 36 (Thursday, February 22, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7831-7832]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-03562]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

[Docket No. USTR-2017-0024]


2018 Special 301 Review: Identification of Countries Under 
Section 182 of the Trade Act of 194; Request for Public Comment and 
Notice of a Public Hearing; Correction

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Request for comments and notice of public hearing; Correction.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) 
published a document in the Federal Register on December 27, 2017 (82 
FR 61363), concerning a request for comments and notices of intent to 
appear at a public hearing on Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974, 
commonly referred to as the ``Special 301'' provisions. The dates 
specified in the notice have changed. Additional information on the 
hearing is also provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sung Chang, Director for Innovation 
and Intellectual Property, Office of the United States Trade 
Representative, at [email protected]. You can find information 
about the Special 301 Review at www.ustr.gov.

Corrections

``Dates'' Caption

    In the Federal Register on December 27, 2017 (82 FR 61363), correct 
the ``Dates'' caption to read as follows:

DATES:  March 8, 2018: The Special 301 Subcommittee will hold a public 
hearing at the Office of the United State Trade Representative, 1724 F 
Street NW, Rooms 1&2, Washington DC. If necessary, the hearing may 
continue on the next business day. Please consult the USTR website for 
confirmation of the date and location and the schedule of witnesses.
    March 14, 2018 at midnight EST: Deadline for submission of post-
hearing written comments from persons who testified at the public 
hearing.
    About April 30, 2018: USTR will publish the 2018 Special 301 Report 
within 30 days of the publication of the National Trade Estimate (NTE) 
Report.

``Background'' Caption

    In the Federal Register on December 27, 2017 (82 FR 61363), correct 
the ``Background'' caption to read as follows:

I. Background

    Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. 2242), 
commonly known as the ``Special 301'' provisions, requires the Trade 
Representative to identify countries that deny adequate and effective 
IPR protections or fair and equitable market access to U.S. persons who 
rely on intellectual property protection. The Trade Act requires the 
Trade Representative to determine which, if any, of these countries to 
identify as Priority Foreign Countries. Acts, policies or practices 
that are the basis of a country's identification as a Priority Foreign 
Country can be subject to the procedures set out in sections 301-305 of 
the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. 2411-2415).
    In addition, USTR has created a ``Priority Watch List'' and ``Watch 
List'' to assist the Administration in pursuing the goals of the 
Special 301 provisions. Placement of a trading partner on the Priority 
Watch List or Watch List indicates that particular problems exist in 
that country with respect to IPR protection, enforcement or market 
access for persons that rely on intellectual property protection. 
Trading partners placed on the Priority Watch List are the focus of 
increased bilateral attention concerning the problem areas.
    USTR chairs the Special 301 Subcommittee (Subcommittee) of the 
Trade Policy Staff Committee. The Subcommittee reviews information from 
many sources, and consults with and makes recommendations to the Trade 
Representative on issues arising under Special 301. Written submissions 
from the public are a key source of information for the Special 301 
review process. In 2018, USTR will conduct a public hearing as part of 
the review process and will allow hearing participants to provide 
additional information relevant to the review. At the conclusion of the 
process, USTR will publish the results of the review in a Special 301 
Report.
    USTR requests that interested persons identify through the process 
outlined in this notice those countries whose acts, policies, or 
practices deny adequate and effective protection for intellectual 
property rights or deny fair and equitable market access to U.S. 
persons who rely on intellectual property protection.
    Section 182 also requires the Trade Representative to identify any 
act, policy, or practice of Canada that affects cultural industries, 
was adopted or expanded after December 17, 1992, and is actionable 
under Article 2106 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). 
USTR invites the public to submit views relevant to this aspect of the 
review.
    Section 182 requires the Trade Representative to identify all such 
acts, policies, or practices within 30 days of the publication of the 
NTE Report. In accordance with this statutory requirement, USTR will 
publish the annual Special 301 Report about April 30, 2018.

``Public Comments'' Caption

    In the Federal Register on December 27, 2017 (82 FR 61363), correct 
the ``Public Comments'' caption to read as follows:

II. Public Comments

    To facilitate the review, written comments should be as detailed as 
possible and provide all necessary information to identify and assess 
the effect of the acts, policies, and practices. USTR invites written 
comments that provide specific references to laws, regulations, policy 
statements, including innovation policies, executive, presidential, or 
other orders, and administrative, court, or other determinations that 
should factor in the review. USTR also requests that, where relevant, 
submissions mention particular regions, provinces, states, or other 
subdivisions of a country in which an act, policy, or practice is 
believed to warrant special attention. Finally, submissions proposing 
countries for review should include data, loss estimates, and other 
information regarding the economic impact on the United States, U.S. 
industry, and the U.S. workforce caused by the denial of adequate and 
effective intellectual property protection. Comments that include 
quantitative loss claims should include the methodology used to 
calculate the estimated losses.

[[Page 7832]]

``Public Hearing'' Caption

    In the Federal Register on December 27, 2017 (82 FR 61363), correct 
the ``Public Hearing'' caption to read as follows:

III. Public Hearing

    The Special 301 Subcommittee will convene a public hearing on March 
8, 2018, at the Office of the United States Trade Representative, 1724 
F Street NW, Rooms 1 & 2, Washington DC, at which interested persons, 
including representatives of foreign governments, may appear to provide 
oral testimony. If necessary, the hearing may continue on the next 
business day. Because the hearing will take place in Federal 
facilities, attendees must show photo identification and will be 
screened for security purposes. Please consult www.ustr.gov to confirm 
the date and location of the hearing and to obtain copies of the 
hearing schedule. USTR also will post the transcript and recording of 
the hearing on the USTR website as soon after the hearing as possible. 
Witnesses must deliver prepared oral testimony, which is limited to 
five minutes, before the Special 301 Subcommittee in person and in 
English. Subcommittee member agencies may ask questions following the 
prepared statement.
    Notices of intent to testify and hearing statements from the public 
were due on February 8, 2017, and are due from foreign governments on 
February 22, 2018. The submissions must be in English and should 
include: (1) The name, address, telephone number, fax number, email 
address, and firm or affiliation of the individual wishing to testify, 
and (2) a hearing statement that is relevant to the Special 301 review.

Elizabeth L. Kendall,
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Innovation and Intellectual 
Property (Acting), Office of the United States Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 2018-03562 Filed 2-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3290-F8-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 36 / Thursday, February 22, 2018 / Notices 7831 3. This notice will be effective April hearing at the Office of the United State participants to provide additional 10, 2018, unless opposing comments are Trade Representative, 1724 F Street NW, information relevant to the review. At filed by April 9, 2018. Rooms 1&2, Washington DC. If the conclusion of the process, USTR 4. A copy of this notice will be served necessary, the hearing may continue on will publish the results of the review in on: (1) The U.S. Department of the next business day. Please consult a Special 301 Report. Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier the USTR website for confirmation of USTR requests that interested persons Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey the date and location and the schedule identify through the process outlined in Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590; (2) of witnesses. this notice those countries whose acts, the U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust March 14, 2018 at midnight EST: policies, or practices deny adequate and Division, 10th Street & Pennsylvania Deadline for submission of post-hearing effective protection for intellectual Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20530; written comments from persons who property rights or deny fair and and (3) the U.S. Department of testified at the public hearing. equitable market access to U.S. persons Transportation, Office of the General About April 30, 2018: USTR will who rely on intellectual property Counsel, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, publish the 2018 Special 301 Report protection. Washington, DC 20590. within 30 days of the publication of the Section 182 also requires the Trade National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report. Representative to identify any act, Decided: February 15, 2018. policy, or practice of Canada that affects By the Board, Board Members Begeman ‘‘Background’’ Caption cultural industries, was adopted or and Miller. In the Federal Register on December expanded after December 17, 1992, and Brendetta S. Jones, 27, 2017 (82 FR 61363), correct the is actionable under Article 2106 of the Clearance Clerk. ‘‘Background’’ caption to read as North American Free Trade Agreement [FR Doc. 2018–03644 Filed 2–21–18; 8:45 am] follows: (NAFTA). USTR invites the public to BILLING CODE 4915–01–P I. Background submit views relevant to this aspect of the review. Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 Section 182 requires the Trade OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES (Trade Act) (19 U.S.C. 2242), commonly Representative to identify all such acts, TRADE REPRESENTATIVE known as the ‘‘Special 301’’ provisions, policies, or practices within 30 days of requires the Trade Representative to the publication of the NTE Report. In [Docket No. USTR–2017–0024] identify countries that deny adequate accordance with this statutory and effective IPR protections or fair and requirement, USTR will publish the 2018 Special 301 Review: Identification equitable market access to U.S. persons of Countries Under Section 182 of the annual Special 301 Report about April who rely on intellectual property 30, 2018. Trade Act of 194; Request for Public protection. The Trade Act requires the Comment and Notice of a Public Trade Representative to determine ‘‘Public Comments’’ Caption Hearing; Correction which, if any, of these countries to In the Federal Register on December AGENCY: Office of the United States identify as Priority Foreign Countries. 27, 2017 (82 FR 61363), correct the Trade Representative. Acts, policies or practices that are the ‘‘Public Comments’’ caption to read as ACTION: Request for comments and basis of a country’s identification as a follows: notice of public hearing; Correction. Priority Foreign Country can be subject II. Public Comments to the procedures set out in sections SUMMARY: The Office of the United 301–305 of the Trade Act (19 U.S.C. To facilitate the review, written States Trade Representative (USTR) 2411–2415). comments should be as detailed as published a document in the Federal In addition, USTR has created a possible and provide all necessary Register on December 27, 2017 (82 FR ‘‘Priority Watch List’’ and ‘‘Watch List’’ information to identify and assess the 61363), concerning a request for to assist the Administration in pursuing effect of the acts, policies, and practices. comments and notices of intent to the goals of the Special 301 provisions. USTR invites written comments that appear at a public hearing on Section Placement of a trading partner on the provide specific references to laws, 182 of the Trade Act of 1974, commonly Priority Watch List or Watch List regulations, policy statements, referred to as the ‘‘Special 301’’ indicates that particular problems exist including innovation policies, provisions. The dates specified in the in that country with respect to IPR executive, presidential, or other orders, notice have changed. Additional protection, enforcement or market and administrative, court, or other information on the hearing is also access for persons that rely on determinations that should factor in the provided. intellectual property protection. Trading review. USTR also requests that, where partners placed on the Priority Watch relevant, submissions mention FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: List are the focus of increased bilateral particular regions, provinces, states, or Sung Chang, Director for Innovation and attention concerning the problem areas. other subdivisions of a country in which Intellectual Property, Office of the USTR chairs the Special 301 an act, policy, or practice is believed to United States Trade Representative, at Subcommittee (Subcommittee) of the warrant special attention. Finally, special301@ustr.eop.gov. You can find Trade Policy Staff Committee. The submissions proposing countries for information about the Special 301 Subcommittee reviews information from review should include data, loss Review at www.ustr.gov. many sources, and consults with and estimates, and other information Corrections makes recommendations to the Trade regarding the economic impact on the daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Representative on issues arising under United States, U.S. industry, and the ‘‘Dates’’ Caption Special 301. Written submissions from U.S. workforce caused by the denial of In the Federal Register on December the public are a key source of adequate and effective intellectual 27, 2017 (82 FR 61363), correct the information for the Special 301 review property protection. Comments that ‘‘Dates’’ caption to read as follows: process. In 2018, USTR will conduct a include quantitative loss claims should DATES: March 8, 2018: The Special 301 public hearing as part of the review include the methodology used to Subcommittee will hold a public process and will allow hearing calculate the estimated losses. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:10 Feb 21, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00178 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\22FEN1.SGM 22FEN1

7832 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 36 / Thursday, February 22, 2018 / Notices ‘‘Public Hearing’’ Caption Great Falls International Airport with FAA’s Policy and Procedures In the Federal Register on December Authority to change certain portions of Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue, 27, 2017 (82 FR 61363), correct the the airport from aeronautical use to non- published in Federal Register on ‘‘Public Hearing’’ caption to read as aeronautical use at the Great Falls February 16, 1999. follows: International Airport, Great Falls, MT. Any person may inspect the request The proposal consists of 2.99 acres in person at the FAA office listed above III. Public Hearing acquired with an Airport Improvement under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION The Special 301 Subcommittee will Program grant shown on the Airport’s CONTACT. convene a public hearing on March 8, Exhibit ‘‘A’’ as Parcel 15. Issued in Helena, Montana on February 14, 2018, at the Office of the United States DATES: Comments must be received by 2018. Trade Representative, 1724 F Street NW, March 26, 2018. William C. Garrison, Rooms 1 & 2, Washington DC, at which ADDRESSES: Comments on this Manager, Helena Airports District Office. interested persons, including application may be mailed or delivered [FR Doc. 2018–03656 Filed 2–21–18; 8:45 am] representatives of foreign governments, to the FAA at the following address: Mr. BILLING CODE 4910–13–P may appear to provide oral testimony. If William C. Garrison, Manager, Federal necessary, the hearing may continue on Aviation Administration, Northwest the next business day. Because the Mountain Region, Airports Division, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION hearing will take place in Federal Helena Airports District Office, 2725 facilities, attendees must show photo Skyway Drive, Suite 2, Helena, Federal Aviation Administration identification and will be screened for Montana, 59602. security purposes. Please consult [Summary Notice No. 2018–12] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. www.ustr.gov to confirm the date and Joe Nye, Civil Engineer, Federal Petition for Exemption; Summary of location of the hearing and to obtain Aviation Administration, Northwest Petition Received; Corvus Airlines, Inc. copies of the hearing schedule. USTR Mountain Region, Helena Airports also will post the transcript and District Office, 2725 Skyway Drive, AGENCY: Federal Aviation recording of the hearing on the USTR Suite 2, Helena, MT, 59602, (406) 449– Administration (FAA), DOT. website as soon after the hearing as 5719. The request to release ACTION: Notice. possible. Witnesses must deliver aeronautical use restrictions may be prepared oral testimony, which is SUMMARY: This notice contains a reviewed, by appointment, in person at limited to five minutes, before the summary of a petition seeking relief the same location. Special 301 Subcommittee in person from specified requirements of Federal SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA and in English. Subcommittee member Aviation Regulations. The purpose of invites public comment on the request this notice is to improve the public’s agencies may ask questions following to release aeronautical use restriction of awareness of, and participation in, the the prepared statement. Notices of intent to testify and hearing 2.99 acres at the Great Falls FAA’s exemption process. Neither statements from the public were due on International Airport under the publication of this notice nor the February 8, 2017, and are due from provisions of the Title 49, U.S.C. inclusion or omission of information in foreign governments on February 22, Section 47107(h). the summary is intended to affect the The Great Falls International Airport 2018. The submissions must be in legal status of the petition or its final Authority, referred to herein as the English and should include: (1) The disposition. Authority, has requested release from name, address, telephone number, fax DATES: Comments on this petition must the aeronautical use restrictions number, email address, and firm or identify the petition docket number and assigned to 2.99 acres acquired under affiliation of the individual wishing to must be received on or before March 14, Airport Improvement Program Grant 3– testify, and (2) a hearing statement that 2018. 30–0036–007–1986. The 2.99 acres is is relevant to the Special 301 review. shown on the Airport’s Exhibit ‘‘A’’ as ADDRESSES: Send comments identified Elizabeth L. Kendall, Parcel 15 and is isolated from the by docket number FAA–2017–1212 Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for airfield by the airport entry road to the using any of the following methods: Innovation and Intellectual Property (Acting), south and west. • Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to Office of the United States Trade The Great Falls International Airport http://www.regulations.gov and follow Representative. has completed an appraisal of Parcel 15 the online instructions for sending your [FR Doc. 2018–03562 Filed 2–21–18; 8:45 am] and found that current fair market value comments electronically. BILLING CODE 3290–F8–P of the property is $236,103. The • Mail: Send comments to Docket Authority proposes to reimburse the Operations, M–30; U.S. Department of federal interest in Parcel 15 by Transportation (DOT), 1200 New Jersey DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION reinvesting an amount of $212,493 (90% Avenue SE, Room W12–140, West of the current fair market value) towards Building Ground Floor, Washington, DC Federal Aviation Administration the acquisition of an AIP eligible piece 20590–0001. of snow removal equipment. • Hand Delivery or Courier: Take Public Notice for Waiver of The Authority proposes to lease the comments to Docket Operations in Aeronautical Land Use Assurance; property for continued operation of the Room W12–140 of the West Building Great Falls International Airport, Great City of Great Falls 911 Call Center as Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Falls, MT well as the construction and operation Avenue SE, Washington, DC, between 9 AGENCY: Federal Aviation of a fueling station and restaurant on the a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Administration, (FAA), DOT. property. The revenue from the lease of Friday, except Federal holidays. ACTION: Notice. this property will be used for airport • Fax: Fax comments to Docket purposes. The proposed use of this Operations at 202–493–2251. SUMMARY: Notice is being given that the property is compatible with other Privacy: In accordance with 5 U.S.C. FAA is considering a proposal from the airport operations and is in accordance 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:10 Feb 21, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00179 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\22FEN1.SGM 22FEN1


Document Created: 2018-02-22 02:51:09
Document Modified: 2018-02-22 02:51:09
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionRequest for comments and notice of public hearing; Correction.
DatesMarch 8, 2018: The Special 301 Subcommittee will hold a public hearing at the Office of the United State Trade Representative, 1724 F Street NW, Rooms 1&2, Washington DC. If necessary, the hearing may continue on the next business day. Please consult the USTR website for confirmation of the date and location and the schedule of witnesses.
ContactSung Chang, Director for Innovation and Intellectual Property, Office of the United States Trade Representative, at [email protected] You can find information about the Special 301 Review at www.ustr.gov.
FR Citation83 FR 7831 
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