Correa, Carlos M. --- "Preface" [2010] ELECD 441; in Correa, M. Carlos (ed), "Research Handbook on the Protection of Intellectual Property under WTO Rules" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2010)

Book Title: Research Handbook on the Protection of Intellectual Property under WTO Rules

Editor(s): Correa, M. Carlos

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781847209047

Section Title: Preface

Author(s): Correa, Carlos M.

Number of pages: 3

Extract:

Preface
Carlos M. Correa


The World Trade Organization (WTO) has become, with the adoption
of the TRIPS (Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights)
Agreement, the principal standard-setting organization in the area of
intellectual property rights (IPRs). The Agreement sets forth minimum
standards in most areas of IPRs, which have demanded massive changes
in national legislation, particularly in developing countries. Few agree-
ments in the WTO system have created so much controversy. Several
issues relating to the implementation and interpretation of the TRIPS
provisions have given rise to disputes. A Ministerial Declaration has been
necessary to clarify the relationship between the TRIPS Agreement and
public health (Doha, 2001), which eventually led to an amendment to the
Agreement, currently subject to ratification.
The TRIPS Agreement has generated an enormous amount of academic
work, as well as numerous analyses by international organizations and
civil society groups. There are already a number of books, reports and
articles that cover different aspects of the TRIPS Agreement and that
provide commentaries on the Agreement's provisions. Many of these
analyses, however, do not explore in depth the fundamental issues raised
by the treaty, or aim to discuss the impact of such provisions rather than
to better understand the content and scope of the imposed obligations in
the light of the WTO system as a whole.
This book aims to contribute to filling some of these gaps.
A basic objective of this Handbook is to provide a source of high quality
original reference material for ...