Argentina removed from USTR Special 301 Priority Watch List after decade of scrutiny

Argentina has been removed from the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) Special 301 Priority Watch List for the first time in more than a decade, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen its intellectual property (IP) framework.

The change follows the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade and Investment between Argentina and the United States and reflects reforms to the country’s patent system, as well as increased enforcement activity against counterfeiting and piracy.

In its latest Special 301 Report, the USTR highlighted Argentina’s decision in March 2026 to repeal what it described as “unduly broad limitations on patent-eligible subject matter for pharmaceutical patents.” The move was identified as a major step toward improving the country’s patent regime and was cited as a key factor in Argentina’s removal from the Priority Watch List.

The report also recognized Argentina’s increased enforcement efforts against counterfeit goods. It specifically referenced expanded police operations targeting well-known markets and distribution centers associated with trademark infringement, including a major 2025 operation at La Salada, one of the country’s largest informal marketplaces.

On digital piracy, the USTR acknowledged a series of enforcement actions, including a joint operation involving the Buenos Aires Cybercrime Unit and the Argentine Federal Police that dismantled the illegal television streaming service Magis TV Pro and resulted in the arrest of its operators.

Despite those developments, the report indicates that further action is needed to improve the consistency and effectiveness of IP enforcement. The USTR encouraged Argentina to establish a specialized federal prosecutor’s office dedicated to intellectual property crimes, along with a dedicated police unit to combat online piracy and reduce the risk of inconsistent judicial decisions.

The report also raises concerns regarding geographical indications (GIs), calling on the Argentine government to increase transparency in the GI recognition process. It further notes Argentina’s commitments under the European Union-Mercosur Trade Agreement, which include recognizing and protecting the geographical indications covered by the agreement.

Although Argentina has been removed from the Priority Watch List, it remains on the USTR’s Watch List, meaning the country continues to be monitored over ongoing concerns relating to IP protection and enforcement.

The USTR concluded by encouraging Argentina to continue strengthening its intellectual property system through further legislative reforms and sustained enforcement efforts targeting both physical counterfeiting and online piracy.

The decision represents an important step forward for Argentina’s IP landscape, particularly in the area of pharmaceutical patents, while signaling that further reforms will be required before the country can be removed entirely from the Special 301 monitoring process.

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