Together, they worked out the accord last year on the protection of software, videos and music that forced China to close many of the pirate factories producing illegally copied products at tremendous cost to American companies.

They say rewards are needed to encourage innovation by making it difficult for others to copy new products.

The removal of the patent protection led to rapid growth among so-called generic drug manufacturers, who were able to copy brand-name products in Canada and sell them for as much as 50 percent less than the originals.

According to the announcement, Brazil represents a $2 billion market in pharmaceuticals but allows its local companies, without patent restraint, to copy American products and processes.

He also copied Serbian folk embroidery and other products of folk art from Serbia.

The most recent Plagiarius awards went to companies that copied such products as a Moleskine notebook, a love seat, salt and pepper shakers and even a urology set.

A large part of Ms. Sotomayor's work was fighting the counterfeiters who copied products of Fendi, the luxury goods company, and its well-known "double F" logo.

The Government list does not include any of the underground factories that are not registered with the Chinese Government, but that also appear to be active in copying American products.

Designed to copy established branded products.

They are not permitted to copy commercially available products, but may make versions of them that vary one or more ingredients according to a doctor's prescription.