The RCEP and Trans-Pacific Intellectual Property Norms

This article examines the RCEP, with a focus on the intellectual property norms that the partnership agreement seeks to develop. The first half of the article focuses on the RCEP as a mega-regional agreement. It begins by briefly discussing the partnership’s historical origins. It then explores three possible scenarios in which the Agreement will help shape trade and intellectual property norms in the Asia-Pacific region. Specifically, the article examines the scenarios in which the Agreement will function as a rival pact, a building block, or an alternative path.

The second half of this article turns to a more specific focus on intellectual property norms that are being established through the RCEP negotiations. It not only discusses the latest leaked draft of the RCEP intellectual property chapter, but also analyzes the Agreement in five distinct areas: copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret and intellectual property enforcement. The article then tackles the easy question concerning whether the RCEP Agreement will contain an intellectual property chapter — and if so, whether such a chapter will look like the chapter in the TPP Agreement. The article concludes by turning to a much harder question concerning whether the RCEP intellectual property chapter will contain high or low intellectual property standards.