TRIPSsopimuksen

TRIPS sopimus, or the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, is an international agreement administered by the World Trade Organization (WTO) that sets down minimum standards for intellectual property rights protection that WTO members must implement. It is one of the foundational agreements of the WTO, concluded in 1994 as part of the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations. The agreement aims to reduce distortions and impediments to international trade, and in doing so, promote effective and adequate protection of intellectual property rights.

The TRIPS agreement covers various forms of intellectual property, including copyright and related rights, trademarks, geographical indications, industrial designs, patents, and the layout designs of integrated circuits. It also addresses issues of enforcement of intellectual property rights, requiring members to make available procedures and remedies to prevent or deter infringement. A key aspect of the TRIPS agreement is its dispute settlement mechanism, which allows member countries to challenge alleged violations of the agreement.

The agreement recognizes that intellectual property rights are private rights, but also acknowledges the public interest in promoting innovation and technological transfer. It includes provisions to allow for flexibility in implementation, such as exceptions to patent rights for research purposes. The TRIPS agreement has been influential in harmonizing intellectual property laws globally, though its implementation and impact continue to be subjects of debate, particularly concerning access to medicines and the balance between private rights and public welfare.