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intellectual property


The right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, Addendum: Mission to WTO
The Special Rapporteur recommends that States be cautious about enacting “TRIPS plus” legislation without first understanding the impact of such legislation on the protection of human rights, including the right to health. Equally, wealthy countries should not pressure a developing country to implement “TRIPS plus” legislation, unless reliable evidence confirms that such legislation will enhance enjoyment of the right to health in the developing country.
FTA Would Hurt Thais, Expert Warns
A free trade agreement with the United States would lead to a broader application of intellectual property rights that could hurt Thais — from farmers to internet users — an expert has warned.
IIPA on US-Singapore FTA
Testimony of Eric H. Smith President International Intellectual Property Alliance (IIPA)
Expanding Intellectual Property’s Empire: The Role of FTAs
Intellectual property rights were important to chemical firms in nineteenth century Europe and to US and European pharmaceutical companies in the twentieth century. The relationship was one of mutual importance. Because these companies wanted intellectual property rights, especially patents they took an interest in lobbying governments on their design.
TRIPS-plus through EFTA’s backdoor
The Free Trade Agreements concluded between the four member states of the European Free Trade Association ¬(EFTA) - Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein - and a number of developing countries contain provisions on the protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs) which go far beyond the obligations already imposed on these countries in the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
TRIPS-plus must stop
Last month, GRAIN issued an open letter to Pascal Lamy, the chief of trade policy at the European Commission. In it, we disputed Mr Lamy’s public relations efforts aimed at trying to convince the world that the EU champions the rights of Third World farmers to save seeds.
Regional and bilateral treaties and a TRIPS-plus world: the Free Trade Area of the Americas
In these issues papers, authors are invited to examine a subject of importance in the developing international intellectual property regime and highlight key issues they see arising. The topics have been chosen following consultations with negotiators from developing countries, and respond to their concerns.