China Appeals WTO DS 363 About Market Access of Copyrighted Goods

China is appealing the panel decision DS 363 (Measures affecting trading rights and distribution services for certain publications and audiovisual entertainment products) by the Dispute Settlement Body, in which many of the US allegations were uphold. According to the BBC, no documents with the grounds for the appeal have been released, yet.

How does a DSU (Dispute Settlement Understanding) appeal work?

• "A standing Appellate Body shall be established by the DSB. The Appellate Body shall hear appeals from panel cases. It shall be composed of seven persons, three of whom shall serve on any one case.": article 17 (1) DSU;
• "As a general rule, the proceedings shall not exceed 60 days from the date a party to the dispute formally notifies its decision to appeal to the date the Appellate Body circulates its report. In fixing its timetable the Appellate Body shall take into account the provisions of paragraph 9 of Article 4, if relevant. When the Appellate Body considers that it cannot provide its report within 60 days, it shall inform the DSB in writing of the reasons for the delay together with an estimate of the period within which it will submit its report. In no case shall the proceedings exceed 90 days." article 17 (5) DSU;
• "An appeal shall be limited to issues of law covered in the panel report and legal interpretations developed by the panel." : article 17 (6) DSU;
• "An Appellate Body report shall be adopted by the DSB and unconditionally accepted by the parties to the dispute unless the DSB decides by consensus not to adopt the Appellate Body report within 30 days following its circulation to the Members." : article 17 (14) DSU.

This case, DS 362, can be read in connection with DS 363. Restrictions of market access of copyrighted goods can be conducive to a copyright piracy rich climate.
Read Deng Shasha's article for Xinhua here.