Piracy: Saudi Arabia remains on the "Priority Watch List" in the United States

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has maintained Saudi Arabia on its "Priority Watch List" (along with nine other countries, see list below) in its "2020 Special 301 Report" on 29/04/2020. This report identifies governments that fail to protect and respect intellectual property.

"Saudi Arabia was placed on the Priority Watch List in 2019 for failing to take action against the rampant satellite and online piracy made available by illicit pirate service beoutQ. BeoutQ ceased operations in August 2019, and the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property (SAIP) has taken steps to improve IP protection, IP enforcement, and IP awareness throughout Saudi Arabia," said the USTR in its report.

"The United States continues to remain concerned about reportedly high levels of online piracy in Saudi Arabia, particularly through illicit streaming devices (ISDs), which right holders report are widely available and generally unregulated in Saudi Arabia. The United States encourages Saudi Arabia to increase IP enforcement actions and IP awareness campaigns particularly…