Understanding TRIPS: Managing Knowledge in Developing Countries

The ownership of intellectual property is an important concept that very often has international ramifications. In a world that is getting smaller every day, critical issues of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs)—especially those that deal with copyrights, patents, and trademarks and geographical indications—are gaining in importance for global knowledge-based companies. This timely book discusses in detail the controversial TRIPS (Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights) Agreement that was a result of the Uruguay Round negotiations. TRIPS aims to strengthen IPRs by checking copying, piracy, illegal imports, and other violations. It also seeks better enforcement by strengthening the dispute settlement procedure. While everyone is agreed on the need for protecting IPRs, the areas of disagreement mainly centre around patent protection and the enforcement of rights. In this comprehensive book, the authors deal with this very topical subject in a simple and easy to follow style. The TRIPS Agreement and its effects are explained in detail with special reference to developing countries. The book also critically examines the provisions of the agreement article wise as well as the case law on the subject. In addition, the authors have discussed and analyzed numerous pertinent topics that include: Industrial design, the protection of undisclosed information, anti-competitive practices, Indian and other national laws on the subject, the Doha declaration and further negotiations on TRIPS This important book will be an invaluable resource for business leaders, lawyers, and students of international business, strategic management, law, finance and management. It will also be useful to policy analysts and diplomats.