Impact of Trips Agreement on Developing Countries

Abstract:     
TRIPS is an agreement under the W.T.O. entered into by its members at Marrakesh in Morocco in 1994. It lays down the minimum standards for the protection of intellectual property rights as well as the procedure and remedies for their enforcement, which are to be adopted by all the members of the W.T.O. in their National Laws governing IPRs. This Agreement came into force from 1st January 1995. Prior to TRIPS, intellectual property laws varied across Nation-states, with local laws formulated to suit the needs of each society.

For example - earlier, developing countries like India, Brazil, etc. did not provide for product patents for drugs as a part of public policy aimed at enabling citizens to cheaper drugs. But, now with the adoption of the TRIPS Agreement, these member countries are duty bound to provide for the same and noncompliance is liable to attract legal action.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 18

Keywords: intellectual property, TRIPS, impact on developing countries, public health, patent, trademarks

working papers series