Understanding TRIPS

Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) are those that deal with copyrights, patents and trademarks. The controversial TRIPS (Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights) agreement that was a result of the Uruguay Round negotiations, aims to strengthen IPRs by checking piracy, illegal imports, and other violations. In addition, it also seeks to strengthen the enforcement provisions by setting up a dispute settlement procedure. While there are similar laws, for example, in the areas of copyright and trademark protection in both the developed and the developing countries of the world, the differences arise on patent protection and enforcement of these rights. This lucid book comprehensively explains the TRIPS agreement and its effect on the developing countries. In this exhaustive volume consisting of twelve chapters, the provisions of the agreement are examined article wise. Also, it traces the negotiating history and critically examines the case law of the agreement. The author has also discussed and analysed the Indian law on the subject in detail, anti competitive practices, industrial design, and the protection of undisclosed information among other topics in the book. The book will be an invaluable resource to professionals in general and strategic management, business leaders, lawyers, and students of international business, law, finance and management. It will also be useful to policy analysts and diplomats.