Trade Relatedness of Intellectual Property Rights

This article argues that the proposals regarding patenting which are included in the recent international Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) will strengthen existing trade monopolies and adversely influence technology diffusion between the North and the South. Such an outcome, which would possibly diminish market opportunities for the less affluent nations, would further widen the economic gap between North and South. The article uses a neo-technology theory of trade to shed light on this emerging problem.