Pirating+in+Thailand

Despite one of the most aggressive legislative schemes for the protection of intellectual property rights in any developing nation, Thailand has remained on the United States' Special 301 Watch List since 1994, primarily because of dissatisfaction with Thailand's political will in respect to strict and meaningful enforcement of its IP laws. Primarily because of the pressure on Thailand's export-oriented economy due to its inclusion on the Special 301 Watch List, there is presently no IP-related issue that receives more media or government attention in Thailand than the issue of piracy of copyrighted works. Primary attention is devoted to the illegal reproduction and distribution of software, film and music content. Among the most active groups engaged in the anti-piracy campaigns are the Business Software Alliance ("BSA"), International Federation of the Phonographic Industry ("IFPI"), and Motion Picture Association of America ("MPA"). Even a casual observer surveying the Thai market can easily find areas flooded with large amounts of pirated DVDs, CDs, and VCDs sold for between 100-200 Baht in Bangkok, including Sukhumvit, Silom, Pratunam, Ramkhamhaeng, Banglumpoo, and Patpong (all tourist areas of Bangkok). Thailand also rivals China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong as a leading export source of pirated content. **According to the most reliable statistics available, the piracy rate for entertainment software in Thailand stood at 98% at the end of 2001, while business software applications registered a 76% rate, motion pictures 60%, and music 45%. The total U.S. market loss attributed to copyright piracy in 2001 has been estimated at more than US$136 million.** ** There is currently no requirement that a copyrighted work be recorded or registered in Thailand to be protected. ** ** The Thai legislature has drafted a Bill for the Control of CD/Optical Disc Production, but to date the Bill has not yet been passed. ** (http://asialaw.tripod.com/articles/takingcopyright.html)