2014 Special 301 Report: United States Trade Representative

It has been 25 years since the first Special 301 Report was published in 1989. The first report, called a "Fact Sheet," highlighted 25 trading partners - eight on the Priority Watch List and 17 on the Watch List.Over the past 25 years, the Special 301 Report has identified positive advances as well as areas of continued concern. The Report has reflected changing technologies, promoted best practices, and situated these critical issues in their policy context, underscoring the importance of intellectual property rights protection and enforcement to the United States and our trading partners.The Special 301 Report serves a critical function by identifying opportunities and challenges facing our innovative and creative industries in foreign markets and by promoting the job creation, economic development, and many other benefits that effective intellectual property protection and enforcement support. The Special 301 Report informs the public and our trading partners and can serve as a positive catalyst for change. USTR remains committed to meaningful and sustained engagement with our trading partners, with the goal of resolving these challenges.