Volume 9, Number 10           In Memoriam of the Victims of Terrorist Attacks          October 2003

 

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INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND TRADE

NAFTA
Mexico:

  • The Economic Ministry announced a number of reforms to a decree governing the Maquiladora industry to reduce regulation and increase competitiveness (20 ITR 1757; 10/23/03).

Intellectual Properties
U.S.:

  • The Patent and Trademark Office published regulations to establish a process of international trademark registration under the Madrid Protocol Implementation Act (20 ITR 1647; 10/9/03).

Argentina:

  • The Senate passed a bill amending its patent law which should provide better protection of intellectual property rights of pharmaceutical companies (20 ITR 1586; 9/25/03)

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS AND INVESTMENTS

 

Treaties
U.N.:

  • The United Nations Convention Against Corruption targets acts of corruption of public officials such as bribery, money laundering, fraud, and embezzlement and will come into force after ratification by 30 signatory countries (20 ITR 1691; 10/16/03).

Foreign Investments
China:

  • Preferential tax treatment of foreign investors is forecasted to continue (20 ITR 1702; 10/16/03).

Iraq:

  • The Coalition Provisional Authority announced new measures to transform Iraq into a market-based economy open to foreign investment including allowance of 100 percent foreign ownership in all sectors except oil and natural resources (20 ITR 1592; 9/25/03).

Agreements
Russia:

  • Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine formed a free trade zone known as the Common Economic Space (20 ITR 1656; 10/9/03).

IMMIGRATION

The Cumulative Impact of Changes in Visa Administration


The number of visitors to the United States has dropped 19.5 percent in the last two years; The number of visa applications decreased from 10.4 million in 2001 to 8.3 million in 2002; some medical clinics have experienced a 23 percent drop in international patients coming to the United States for hospital treatment (8 IB 1506; 9/15/03).


United States – Chile Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act


This new law includes provisions creating a new H-1B1 nonimmigrant classification for Chilean and Singaporean Nationals coming to the United States to perform services in a specialty occupation and allowing these Nationals to obtain E-visas (80 IR 1295; 9/15/03).
 

LEGISLATIVE AND LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS

 

Textiles
U.S.:

  • The Textile Revitalization Act would provide tax incentives, low cost federal loans and would eliminate duties and quotas on textile and apparel imports that include U.S. yarn or fabric ( 20 ITR 1688; 10/16/03).

Customs
U.S.:

  • Merchandise Processing Fees (MPF) are proposed to be eligible for drawback (68 Fed. Reg. 56,804; 10/2/03).

Intellectual Property
EU:

  • The European Commission proposes new rules on competition for patents, intellectual property and copyright licensing (20 ITR 655; 10/9/03).

Immigration
U.S.:

  • S. 1635 (L-1 Visa Intracompany Transferee Reform Act of 2003) was introduced to prohibit remote assignment of L-1B specialized knowledge persons to work offsite when controlled by the unaffiliated employer (80 IR 1344; 9/29/03).

Sources: IR - Interpreter Releases, Federal Publications, Inc.; ITR - International Trade Reporter, Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.; IB-Bender’s Immigration Bulletin; ILT - Immigration Law Today, American Immigration Lawyers Association Monthly Journal; IL - International Lawyer, SMU School of Law; FT- Financial Times; KTF - Korea Trade Focus Monthly Newsletter (Korea International Trade Association) TE - The Economist Magazine; GATM - German American Trade Magazine published by the German American Chamber of Commerce; MAPI - Manufacturers Alliance Legal Analysis and Regulations; WSJ - Wall Street Journal; ILN/ABA-International Law News, American Bar Association; TMIJ-Tax Management International Journal, Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.; AILA - American Immigration Lawyer’s Association

 

International Law Bulletin is an international legal news digest published monthly as a service to Nelson Mullins’ clients and friends.  The articles are summaries of particular developments in the law and are not intended to be a solicitation or to render legal advice. This publication can be considered advertising under applicable laws.  Copyright 2003

 

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, L.L.P.

has offices located in

Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Atlanta, Georgia; Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Charlotte, North Carolina

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