A Legal Study of the Iranian Intellectual Property System and Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement: Implementation and Impacts

Abstract

Implementation of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (1994) (the TRIPs Agreement) is one of the most challenging issues for developing countries as it may hold serious ramifications for their economic and social activities, including industry, agriculture, health and education. Iran, as an Observer Member of the WTO and with the prospect of full membership ahead, needs to comply with all WTO agreements, including the TRIPs Agreement, by the time this process is accomplished. Consequently, some arguments regarding the benefit, cost and the ways of reducing the impact of the WTO regulations have been raised among scholars in the country. A new law for the registration and protection of plant varieties has been approved; a "Bill of Law" regarding the protection of patents, industrial designs and trademarks in the context of the TRIPs Agreement has been prepared and presented to Parliament.