- TRIPS Agreement was evolved as part of the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), predecessor to WTO.
- It was included as one of the main annexes to the Marrakesh Agreement that established the WTO.
- It came into force on January 1, 1995.
Key Highlights
:- About: Most comprehensive multilateral agreement on intellectual property rights (IPR).
- IPR gives the creator an exclusive right over the use of his/her creations (inventions; literary and artistic works; designs, etc.) for a certain period of time.
- Standards: Sets out the minimum standards of protection to be provided by each Member.
- It has incorporated provisions from World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Paris and Berne Conventions.
- Coverage: Copyright, trademarks, geographical indications, industrial designs, patents, layout-designs of integrated circuit etc.
- Dispute settlement: Any disputes regarding TRIPS obligations are subjected to the WTO’s dispute settlement procedures.
- Also, provided for Council for TRIPS (Forum where WTO members discuss issues relating to agreement).
- Compulsory licensing: Allowed compulsory licensing to produce the patented product or process without the consent of the patent owner. It helped developing and under developed country.
Key Information
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