Counterfeit, Medicines and ACTA

Abstract:     
There has been much confusion about the word counterfeit in the secretly negotiated agreement (ACTA) by the developed nations. The agreement in fact not only covers counterfeits in general but goes on to extend the current IPR protection. It criminalizes various forms of infringements and enhances the border measures which could possibly raise a trade barrier of developing nations. The paper tries to reveal the hidden politics of the first world to negotiate ACTA in first place, taking into light the case of counterfeit medicines whose definition worldwide remains disputed. The need to change the debate from access to medicine to public health and safety which could adversely affect the generic manufacturers as they are caught in between.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 27

Keywords: ACTA, Counterfeit, Counterfeit Medicines, Infrigements, Forum Shopping

working papers series