After similar exercises in 2003 and 2006* the Commission recently launched a new survey regarding IPR protection and enforcement in third countries (relevant from a EU trade policy perspective), targeting in the first place EU companies established or operating in third countries.

The survey can be accessed at http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=IPRsurvey2010.

The replies to this survey will be taken into acccount by DG TRADE in reviewing its priorities in that area. In particular, combined with other sources of input, it will enable the Commission to update its list of "priority countries" (cf. IPR Enforcement Report 2009).

In order to ensure representative conclusions, as many EU right holders as possible should participate in this survey. You are therefore invited to disseminate this information as broadly as possible.

The survey will close on 31 October 2010.

* see http://ec.europa.eu/trade/creating-opportunities/trade-topics/intellectual-property/enforcement/ for similar exercises in 2003 and 2006