Interpreting TRIPS: Globalisation of Intellectual Property Rights and Access to Medicines

The second edition of this seminal text retraces the origins, content and interpretations of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) Agreement.

The book examines various views of the role of intellectual property rights (IPRs) as incentives for innovation against the backdrop of development and the transfer of technology.

It also looks into the ways in which innovation is evaluated and priced, and analyses sources of controversy over IPRs, such as the issue of access to medicines. It questions the benefits of TRIPS in poorer countries, where national infrastructure for research and development (R&D) and social protection are inadequate, while the cost of innovation is high.

Taking into consideration the relationship between international treaties relating to IPRs and those concerning human rights, the book examines the relevance of IPRs to these issues and explores various ways to resolve possible conflicts. Updated throughout, this comprehensive and authoritative work allows the reader to acquire a thorough understanding of a complex yet important field.