Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Washington File reports that Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance William Lash has stated that stronger punishments and more vigorous enforcement are necessary to stem a growing epidemic of infringement of intellectual property rights (IPR) in China. According to Lash, the U.S. has damages of $20 to 24 billion a year from piracy in China, with the situation getting worse. (Washington File Pub 04/14/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/eap/Archive/2005/Apr/14-581627.html)
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1. Commerce Department Official Urges China to Punish IPR Violators
2. TSA to Begin Enforcement of Ban on Lighters in Secure Areas of Airports and Onboard Airplanes
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that it will begin enforcing on April 14, 2005 a ban on all types of lighters (e.g., butane, absorbed fuel, etc.) from the secure areas of airports beyond security checkpoints and onboard airplanes. TSA notes that lighters are classified as hazardous materials, and are prohibited from being stowed in checked baggage. (TSA press release, dated 04/14/05, available at http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=44&content=0900051980117db2)
3. U.S., India Sign Open Skies Aviation Agreement
According to the Washington File, the U.S. and India signed an Open Skies aviation agreement on April 14, 2005, replacing a restrictive 1956 agreement and providing passenger and cargo air carriers from both countries unlimited access to each other's markets. (Washington File Pub 04/14/05, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/usinfo/Archive/2005/Apr/14-952568.html)
4. CBP Issues Federal Register Notice on Quarterly Interest Rates
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a notice in the Federal Register announcing the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) quarterly interest rates that will be used to calculate interest on underpayments and overpayments of customs duties for the period beginning April 1, 2005 and ending June 30, 2005. (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/04/05 news, 05030405, for BP summary of these rates based on an IRS press release.) (FR Pub 04/13/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-7444.pdf)
5. ATF Proposed Rule Would Amend Definition of "Pistol", Etc.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has issued a proposed rule which would amend the regulations relating to machine guns, destructive devices, and certain other firearms regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA) in order to clarify the definition of the term "pistol" and to define more clearly exceptions to the "pistol" definition. (D/N ATF 7P; AG Order No. 2761-2005, FR Pub 04/07/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-6932.pdf)
6. USDA & APHIS Submit Information Collections for OMB Approval
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and APHIS have issued the following information collections to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval:
Importation of Restricted and Controlled Animal and Poultry Products and Byproducts, Organisms, and Vectors into the U.S. (USDA). The USDA states that it has submitted this information collection to the OMB for review and clearance. Comments should have been submitted within 30 days of March 11, 2005.
Endangered Species Regulations and Forfeiture Procedures (APHIS). APHIS states that it has submitted this information collection to the OMB for extension of approval. Comments received on or before June 13, 2005 will be considered.
(USDA FR Pub 03/11/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-4767.pdf; APHIS FR Pub 04/12/05, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/E5-1682.pdf)