VZCZCXRO1432
PP RUEHDA
DE RUEHAK #1578 1720659
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 210659Z JUN 07
FM AMEMBASSY ANKARA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2679
INFO RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 2909
RUEHDA/AMCONSUL ADANA 2065
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
UNCLAS ANKARA 001578
SIPDIS
DEPT PLEASE PASS USTR FOR LERRION/JCHOE-GROVES
DEPT PLEASE PASS USPTO FOR JOELLEN URBAN, MICHAEL SMITH
USDOC FOR ITA/MAC/CRUSNAK
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KIPR USTR TU
SUBJECT: TURKEY: WIPO TREATIES RATIFIED IN MAY 2007
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.
1. (SBU) Summary: On May 8, Turkey published in its Official Gazette
the ratification of WIPO's Copyright Agreement and Performances and
Phonograms Treaty, a priority action listed for Turkey in USTR's
2006 Special 301 report. Foreign Trade Undersecretariat officials
tell us that Turkey should complete its approval process and deposit
its instruments of ratification with WIPO by the end of July.
According to Ministry of Culture and Tourism officials, Turkey's
March 2004 amended anti-piracy law and subsequent implementing
regulations included the provisions of the WIPO treaties and were
approved by the 2000 TRIPS Council. Turkish officials would welcome
training and assistance from Washington agencies on the
implementation and enforcement of the provisions of these treaties.
End summary.
2. (SBU) On May 8, the Turkish Parliament's ratification of the WIPO
Copyright Agreement (WCT) and Performances and Phonograms Treaty
(WPPT) were published in the Official Gazette. According to Atilla
Bastirmaci, Head of the America's Department at the Turkish Foreign
Trade Undersecretariat (FTU), the ratification is with the Council
of Ministers for final approval, which he characterized as a mere
formality. After this final approval, Turkey will deposit its
instruments of ratification with WIPO in Geneva. He said that this
process usually takes about two months from the date of ratification
and should be completed by the end of July, at the latest.
Bastirmaci added that ratification of these treaties was a priority
action for Turkey mentioned in USTR's 2006 Special 301 Priority
Watchlist report, and Turkish Foreign Trade Minister Tuzmen hopes
that such action will be viewed favorably by the U.S. when
considering Turkey's 2008 Special 301 designation.
3. (SBU) According to Selahattin Ertas, Director General in charge
of IPR issues at the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism,
Turkey's amended anti-piracy law, which went into effect in March
2004, and the subsequent implementing regulations were written to
include the WIPO treaty provisions. He added that the 2000 WTO
TRIPS Council examined and approved the draft legislation's
compliance with international obligations prior to its
implementation. Ertas admitted, however, that with new technology
and the growing availability of the Internet in Turkey, the subject
is constantly changing and as a result, Turkish policymakers must
remain current on the issues and amend Turkey's anti-piracy
provisions accordingly.
4. (SBU) Ertas inquired about the availability of training on the
enforcement of the provisions of the WIPO treaties. He added that
he believes the legislation as written is sound, but he is concerned
about how Turkey will implement and enforce the requirements. Ertas
mentioned his interest in learning about special equipment that
might be used to assist with certification and the tracking of SIC
codes.
5. (SBU) Comment: The Turkish government sees the ratification of
the WIPO treaties as a positive improvement in their IPR protection
regime and hopes that it is adequately noted by Washington's IPR
bureaucracy. Relevant Turkish authorities such as Culture and
Tourism and Customs officials are open to subsequent training and
would welcome assistance from USPTO or other interested Washington
agencies. Post is ready to coordinate such training and assistance
should it become available. End comment.
WILSON