MACAU has been removed from the watch-list for intellectual property rights infringement, the United States Trade Representative, Robert B. Zoellick, said Wednesday

Macau has continued to strengthen its intellectual property right regime this past year,” the US international trade co-ordinating and negotiating body said in a report released in Washington. Since the beginning of this year, Macau had reduced the number of optical media production lines-which make DVDs, CDs and VCDs – to five after implementing a source Identification code requirement for manufactures.

There were 50 lines back in January 1999, the report added. Further, Macau Economic Services appears to have transferred IPR enforcement responsibilities to the Macau Customs Service without degradation in activities, at least in the initial stages. Macau’s judiciary also has imposed jail sentences on two convicted pirate retailers this year, the first instances in which criminal sanctions on such convictions were not suspended.

US Consul General Michael Klosson said Macau’s removal from the watch-list reflected the government’s efforts in strengthening its legislation to crack down on pirated goods makers and street-level sales over the past three years.

Intellectual property rights piracy remains a problem elsewhere in the region,” Klosson said, so it will be important to for Macau Customs to sustain its enforcement pressure and for Macau’s court to deliver convictions that will deter further criminal activity.

“This USTR announcement is a great accomplishment which reflects very favorably on the Macau SAR government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and fulfilling Macau’s obligations as an independent member of world Trade Organization”, he added.