This document examines major economic issues for intellectual property
rights protection (IPRs) in the context of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The
idea is to look back on the establishment of TRIPS (trade-related aspects of intellectual
property rights), which is an ongoing success of the Uruguay Round debate on free
trade. This paper reviews the economic concept of harmonizing IPRs, drawing
attention to economic theory and strong emerging evidence. The concept of linking IPR
protection with trade in the context of the WTO is also being explored. Particular
attention has been paid to the results of TRIPS on new agricultural and biotechnology
innovations. The impact of IPR protection on promoting growth and development and
the relationship between IPRs and other economic policies are discussed. This paper
concludes with an analysis of the potential for more (or less) consensus related to IPRs
in the current WTO negotiating cycle.
Keywords: Intellectual property rights, Patients, Trade mark, TRIPS, WTO.
