Abstract:

Given the increasingly open international trade and investment regime, protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs) assumes significance. According to many experts, a functional domestic system of protecting IPRs could enhance more investment and trade leading to more growth of an economy. However, the moot question is: will it necessarily lead to poverty reduction? The importance of this question can be gauged from the fact that the new regime of protecting IPRs following the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Members is intrinsically related with the livelihood issues of farmers and other marginalised sections of our society. This monograph attempts to address this question without making an effort to create any opinion. In other words, a set of questions related to this overarching question has been addressed by placing some facts in simple language so as to enhance public knowledge on the relevant issues.