The TRIPS Agreement is the outcome of the Uruguay Round of Negotiations which strengthens greatly the disciplines for IPR protection.

The importance of protection of IPR and promotion of technological innovation is generally recognized, particularly as the world is facing challenges of rising food and energy prices, climate change, poverty reduction as well as financial turbulence and economic downturn which require tremendous efforts in the fields of innovation and creativeness.

However, after years’ implementation of the TRIPS Agreement, continued complaints have been heard, particularly from many developing countries. During the Doha Round this has been an implementation issue. There is also a fundamental question about where is the right place for the discussion of intellectual property rights. Many developing countries and NGOs believe that the IPR issue should have been dealt with by WIPO rather than the WTO or other international organizations.