The TRIPS agreement, sustainable development and the public interest : discussion paper

This paper addresses the environmental and developmental impacts of patent protection by specifically focusing on the global agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). While the TRIPS agreement serves as an important step in harmonizing international intellectual property systems, the author contends that it currently fails to properly balance public and private interests, especially in the gap between rich and poor. This thoughtful paper can serve as a base from which to debate a serious issue and suggest proposals for reform.