Rethinking IPRs and the TRIPS Agreement (No. 1)

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Rethinking IPRs and the TRIPS Agreement (No. 1)

USD 6.00 Publisher: TWN
ISBN: 983-9747-66-5
Year: 2001
No. of pages: 24
Size of book: 16.5cm x 24cm
Author: Martin Khor

About the Book

The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) has been considered by some economic experts of developing countries as the World Trade Organisation agreement that has the potential of causing the most damage to prospects of development. In the six years since TRIPS was established, there has been increasing evidence of many social and economic problems caused by the introduction of stricter intellectual property rights (IPRs) laws as a result of the implementation of TRIPS, as well as rising public disenchantment worldwide.

This paper argues that the current IPRs, system is heavily tilted in favour of IPRs holders and against public interest. According to the author, the worldwide establishment of strict IPRs standards under TRIPS will result in benefits accruing overwhelmingly to the developed countries, paid for by the increased costs accruing to the developed countries. Tracing the implications for consumers, local and indigenous communities, and prospects for development and industrialisation in the South, the author asserts that it is time to redress the imbalances and asymmetries of the present IPRs regime and the TRIPS Agreement.

About the Author

Martin Khor is the Director of Third World Network, a network of several NGOs in different parts of the developing world. An economist trained in Cambridge University who has lectured in economics in the Science University of Malaysia, he is the author of several books and articles on trade, development and environment issues.

He is also the Honorary Secretary of the Consumers' Association of Penang in Malaysia and a board member of the International Forum on Globalization. He was formerly a Vice Chairman of the UN Commission on Human Rights Expert Group on the Right to developemnt and a consultant in several research studies under the UN.

Contents

Introduction
Some serious problems caused by IPRs and TRIPS
a. Effects on consumer access to essential and other products
b. Adverse effects of TRIPS on development and industries in developing countries
c. IPRs, biological materials and biopiracy
d. Questionable claims and unkept promises
Conclusions and proposals

References

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This product was added to our catalog on Thursday 12 January, 2012.

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Rethinking IPRs and the TRIPS Agreement (No. 1)