Press release: The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative today released its annual “Special 301” report on the adequacy and effectiveness of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection by U.S. trading partners. “Innovation is the lifeblood of a dynamic economy here in the United States, and around the world. We must defend ideas, inventions and creativity from rip off artists and thieves,” said U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab. “This report underscores the Administration’s scrutiny in pinpointing challenges in protecting IPR and signals to our trading partners that effective IPR protection will remain a critical focus in U.S. policy.”