Which WTO agreement established global rules for trade-related intellectual property rights?
Answer
TRIPS Agreement
The TRIPS Agreement established global WTO rules for trade-related intellectual property rights.
TRIPS is the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. It was negotiated during the Uruguay Round and took effect on 1 January 1995, when the WTO began operating.
The agreement sets minimum standards for areas including copyright, trademarks, geographical indications, patents, industrial designs, and undisclosed information. It also requires members to provide enforcement procedures for covered rights.
TRIPS does not create one worldwide patent or copyright registration. Protection is still administered through national and regional systems, while WTO rules establish minimum standards and a framework for disputes between member governments.