Brazil announces it may break US patents on movies, music, drugs, chemicals in WTO dispute

Brazil may break US patents on films, music, drugs

BRASILIA, Brazil — Brazil says it may let local companies break U.S. patents on products including movies, music, pharmaceutical products and chemicals.

The World Trade Organization says Brazil can take punitive action because the United States has failed to get rid of illegal subsidies provided to American cotton farmers.

The list of products targeted for patent breaks was released Monday in the Brazil’s official gazette.

Brazil last week announced $591 million in possible sanctions against other U.S. products through higher tariffs. The WTO authorized Brazil a total of $829 million in sanctions.

Brazilian and U.S. officials say they will try to negotiate a deal so the sanctions are not imposed.