Special 301 Report

Special 301 Report is an annual report by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under the Trade Act of 1974.

Special 301 Report

Special 301 Report Latest News

India has yet again been placed on the ‘priority watch’ list of the US Trade Representative (USTR) office’s Special 301 Report on intellectual property rights.

About Special 301 Report

  • It is an annual report by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under the Trade Act of 1974.
  • It identifies countries that are considered by the US as not providing adequate and effective protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs) or fair and equitable market access to IP rights holders from the US. 
  • The report has been issued every year since 1989. 
  • It designates countries as “priority foreign country”, “priority watch country”, and “watch list country”. 
  • Designation as a priority foreign country initiates an investigationand possible application of sanctions on the foreign country, while designation on a Priority Watchlist suggests serious IPR deficiencies that require greater US attention.
  • Other countries that are considered to have serious IPR deficiencies but are not designated for greater US attention are placed on a Watchlist. 
  • The report includes both developed and developing countries.
  • The targeting of countries in the Section 301 Report is arbitrary. 
  • The report lacks empirical evidence and objective analysis and is biased to the concerns raised by segments of the industry of the US with regard to the protection and enforcement of IP rights abroad.

Special 301 Report FAQs

Q1. What is the Special 301 Report related to?

Ans. It identifies countries with inadequate protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs).

Q2. The Special 301 Report is issued by which entity?

Ans. United States Trade Representative (USTR)

Q3. What does designation as a “priority foreign country” in the Special 301 Report initiate?

Ans. An investigation and possible sanctions

Source: THBL

Latest UPSC Exam 2025 Updates

Last updated on June, 2025

UPSC Notification 2025 was released on 22nd January 2025.

UPSC Prelims Result 2025 is out now for the CSE held on 25 May 2025.

UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 and Unofficial Prelims Answer Key 2025  are available now.

UPSC Calendar 2026 is released on 15th May, 2025.

→ The UPSC Vacancy 2025 were released 1129, out of which 979 were for UPSC CSE and remaining 150 are for UPSC IFoS.

UPSC Mains 2025 will be conducted on 22nd August 2025.

UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.

→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.

UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!

UPSC Toppers List 2024 is released now. Shakti Dubey is UPSC AIR 1 2024 Topper.

→ Also check Best IAS Coaching in Delhi

Tags: Prelims Pointers Special 301 Report upsc prelims current affairs

Vajiram Editor
Vajiram Editor
UPSC GS Course 2026
UPSC GS Course 2026
₹1,75,000
Enroll Now
GS Foundation Course 2 Yrs
GS Foundation Course 2 Yrs
₹2,45,000
Enroll Now
Prelims PowerupTest Series
Prelims PowerupTest Series
₹13000
Enroll Now
UPSC Mains Test Series
UPSC Mains Test Series
₹16000
Enroll Now
UPSC Mentorship Program
UPSC Mentorship Program
₹85000
Enroll Now
Enquire Now