IPR has evolved from isolated royal charters (such as the Statute of Monopolies) to a sophisticated, globalized regime governed by international treaties.
1. Kinds of Intellectual Property
| Copyrights | Trademarks | Patents |
|---|---|---|
| Protects original expression of ideas (literary, dramatic, musical, artistic). | Protects brand identity (logos, words, phrases, shapes, colors). | Protects novel technological inventions (products or processes). |
| Term: Life of author + 60 years. | Term: 10 years (renewable indefinitely). | Term: 20 years (non-renewable). |
2. WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
Established in 1967 as a specialized agency of the United Nations, headquartered in Geneva. WIPO administers key international intellectual property treaties (including the Paris Convention for Industrial Property and the Berne Convention for Literary and Artistic Works).
3. TRIPS Agreement (WTO)
The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) of 1994 is the most comprehensive multilateral agreement on intellectual property, administered by the World Trade Organization (WTO):
- National Treatment: Member states must treat foreign citizens no less favorably than their own nationals regarding IPR protection.
- Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN): Any advantage, favor, or privilege granted to one member state must be extended immediately and unconditionally to all other WTO members.