The World Trade Organization’s TRIPS Council will ask Member states to consider a request from Least Developed Countries for an extension of the deadline for their compliance with the TRIPS Agreement. IP Watch reports that Bangladesh presented the TRIPS Council with the request, which recognizes that “Least Developed Country Members continue to face serious economic, financial and administrative constraints in their efforts to bring their domestic legal system into conformity with the provisions of the TRIPS Agreement.”
Currently, LDCs are required to implement the Agreement by 2013 (though there is an extra 3 years for measures related to pharmaceuticals).
Sources:
- Communication from Bangladesh on behalf of the LDC Group. “ELEMENTS PAPER ON THE EXTENSION OF THE TRANSITION PERIOD UNDER ARTICLE 66.1 OF THE TRIPS AGREEMENT.” November 11, 2011.
- William New for Intellectual Property Watch. Least-Developed Nations Propose Extension Of Deadline To Join TRIPS. November 16, 2011.
- Intellectual Property Watch. “WTO Ministers Asked To Send Message On TRIPS Extension For LDCs.” November 17, 2011.
