Bilateral (multilateral) trade agreements
TRIPS substantially changed the international IP regime by introducing the principle of minimum intellectual property standards.
In effect, this principle means that any intellectual property agreement negotiated subsequent to TRIPS among and⁄or involving WTO members can only create higher standards – commonly known as “TRIPS-plus”.
Common examples of TRIPS plus provisions include:
- Extending the term of a patent longer than the twenty-year minimum
- Introducing provisions that limit the use of compulsory licences (restrict generic competition)
- Data exclusivity periods
US–Australia FTA
US–Chile FTA
US–Singapore FTA
EU–Lebanon FTA
EU–Africa-Caribbean-Pacific (ACP)
TPP
