USTR Special 301 Report Upholds Intellectual Property as US Trade Priority

RIAA SVP International Policy George York Lauds Findings

WASHINGTON, DC (May 1, 2026) - The US Trade Representative (USTR)'s annual Special 301 Report stresses the critical importance of intellectual property rights and underscores the vital contributions of American creators to US economic growth, job creation, quality of life and culture. Read the detailed findings here.

"Serving as the IP Playbook for the US Government for the coming year, this Report delivers a strong message demonstrating that copyright protection and enforcement are top priorities for US trade policy with the US Government notably opposing theft of creative works in foreign countries," commented RIAA SVP International Policy George York. "RIAA lauds the addition of the new section on intellectual property and artificial intelligence, which reaffirms that the US Government supports 'legal frameworks for AI development that ensure copyrights are respected and supports voluntary licensing regimes for the use of copyrighted works.'

"The Report appropriately shines a spotlight on concerns with overbroad exceptions, including so-called text & data mining and statutory licensing for AI training and streaming, as well as with copyright treaty implementation, copyright enforcement, collective management and contract intervention, among other issues.

"We applaud USTR, PTO, ITA, the US IP Attaches and other interagency teams for their extensive deliberations and commitment to standing up against those seeking to steal from our creators and undermine this community's contributions to the US economy. We look forward to partnering with the US Government on the actions enumerated in the Report and ensuring countries fully implement their Special 301 and other commitments under their respective Agreements on Reciprocal Trade."