in Thailand, especially in light of comparatively weak optical disc legislation that Thailand passed in 2005. Piracy is also widespread in the areas of photocopying of books, cable signals, entertainment and business software, and music on the Internet. The production, distribution, sale, and export or transshipment of pirated and counterfeit products continues to be a serious concern. The United States also is concerned about the weak protection against unfair commercial use of undisclosed test and other data submitted by pharmaceutical and agricultural chemical companies seeking marketing approval for their products, as well as delays in pharmaceutical patent approvals by the Thai Department of Intellectual Property. The United States will continue to work with Thailand to address these significant concerns regarding its intellectual property laws and enforcement.
TURKMENISTAN
Turkmenistan will remain on the Watch List in 2006. The United States is concerned about Turkmenistan's lack of progress on IPR issues during the past year and its lack of fulfillment of its IPR obligations under the United States-Turkmenistan Trade Agreement. For example, Turkmenistan has not joined the Berne Convention, the Geneva Phonograms Convention, or the WIPO Internet Treaties. Turkmenistan does not have a separate copyright law and does not provide clear criminal procedures or penalties for IPR infringement as required by the U.S.-Turkmenistan Trade Agreement. Its Customs Code does not provide ex officio authority to seize suspected infringing material at the border, and there are no known civil ex parte search procedures. The United States urges Turkmenistan to adopt the legal reforms that will bring Turkmenistan into compliance with its obligations under the bilateral United States-Turkmenistan Trade Agreement and to undertake enforcement activities that will help to strengthen its IPR regime.
UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan will remain on the Watch List in 2006. The United States is concerned about the lack of significant progress on IPR issues this past year. For example, Uzbekistan did not move forward with several IPR-related amendments that had been contemplated. While Uzbekistan recently joined the Berne Convention, the United States notes with concern Uzbekistan's reservation to Article 18, which provides protection for pre-existing works. Furthermore, Uzbekistan appears to be out of compliance with its intellectual property commitments under the United States-Uzbekistan Trade Agreement, particularly with respect to copyright protection and enforcement. Uzbekistan does not provide protection for sound recordings or pre-existing works, and is not a member of the Geneva Phonograms Convention or the WIPO Internet Treaties. In addition, IPR enforcement in Uzbekistan remains weak due to a lack of ex officio authority that would allow customs officials to seize infringing materials at the border, a lack of civil ex parte search procedures, and inadequate criminal penalties for IPR violations. The United States urges Uzbekistan to address these deficiencies in its IPR laws and to take immediate and effective measures to improve IPR enforcement. The United States will continue to work together with Uzbekistan on these outstanding IPR issues through discussions related to Uzbekistan's bid for WTO accession.
VIETNAM
Vietnam will remain on the Watch List in 2006. The United States commends Vietnam for its improvements in IPR protection, including Vietnam's passage of a comprehensive IPR law in
