Protocol Amending the TRIPS Agreement Is Under Ratification Process

To address the dilemma of least-developed members plagued by public health problems, such as AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, but lacking the production capacity for drugs to treat these contagious diseases, WTO members approved an amendment to Article 31 of Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement on December 8, 2005, and asked members to accept it before December 31, 2009. In considering that ratifying this amendment will be positive to enhancing Taiwan's participation in international affairs, the Executive Yuan decided to proceed with the ratification process on April 2, 2008. The protocol will be submitted to the Legislative Yuan for review and approval. (Source: Taiwan Intellectual Property Office)