To date, the Honduran Government has not implemented its promises to correct its inadequate 1993 copyright law. Persistent piracy problems continue, particularly broadcasting of pirated videos and rebroadcasting of U.S. satellite-carried programming without authorization.
Enforcement is virtually non-existent.
Because of the Honduran Government s delays and inaction in keeping its commitments to raise its standards of copyright protection, IIPA recommends that USTR suspend preferential trade benefits under the GSP and the CBI programs for Honduras failure to meet the statutory standards for intellectual property protection found in these trade programs. IIPA recommends that Honduras remain on the Special Mention list. Last April, Ambassador Barshefsky noted in her Special 301 announcement that the amendments to the 1993 copyright law were pending before the Congress and that the U.S. continued to work with the Honduran Government to improve enforcement. Honduras intellectual property practices are currently being reviewed by the Administration under the GSP program. USTR accepted MPA s petition and the GSP review has been extended several times.