Many Asia-based nations have made progress on strengthening the rights of intellectual property creators, but more work needs to be done. U.S. negotiators should ensure that strong IP protections are a necessary prerequisite to any TPP agreement. In addition, these measures need to focus on both traditional and next generation IP. This includes strong prohibitions against widespread music and movie piracy, as well as creating strong protections for emerging industries such as a 12-year data protection period for biologic medicines. Singapore provides a persuasive model for a strong system of intellectual property rights. The TPP negotiators need only to look around to see the results.
