U.S. files WTO complaints against China

U.S. files WTO complaints against China The U.S. government today filed two complaints with the World Trade Organization alleging that China has not done enough to prevent copyright infringement of U.S. products and for not removing barriers to market access for books, music, videos and movies.
   Trade Representative Susan Schwab said that negotiations with China to tighten its legal system to protect intellectual property rights have not been successful. The main complaint is that Chinese wholesalers and retailers have high thresholds of counterfeit goods in their possession before they can be prosecuted.
   The U.S. movie and recording industries are also unhappy about import restrictions for their products.
   The WTO is being asked to broker a 60-day consultation period. Without resolution, the matter will be referred to a dispute settlement panel.
   The moves come as the Bush administration is under increasing pressure from the Democrat-controlled Congress to get tough on China to meet international trade commitments.