CHAPTER 11
IP Rights in Multi-National Forums have been recognized in various international, regional, and bilateral treaties, agreements, and conventions. Recognition and protection have been primarily afforded to copyrights, patents, and trademarks (including service marks). Often, the protective provisions are fairly general and each member country is permitted to limit or somewhat modify the terms as specifically employed within its territory. For this reason, the international systems are not necessarily applied uniformly. However, at a minimum, global traders can rely on these systems for the recognition of IP rights in foreign jurisdictions. Of even greater benefit are the centralized registries by which IP owners can obtain relatively fast and cost-effective protection for their rights in multiple jurisdictions.
THE IMPORTANCE AND VALUE OF IP RIGHTS
International Treaties Affecting IP Rights In the context of IP rights, the multi-national and regional treaties, agreements, and conventions that affect IP rights may be grouped generally together in one of the following classifications. Please note that this list is not exclusive. RECOGNITION OF IP RIGHTS AND FACILITATION OF HARMONIOUS NATIONAL IP SYSTEMS, INCLUDING: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
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Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works Brussels Convention Relating to the Distribution of Programme-Carrying Signals Transmitted by Satellite General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Geneva Convention for the Protection of Producers of Phonograms Against Unauthorized Duplication of Their Phonograms Madrid Agreement for the Repression of False or Deceptive Indications of Source of Goods Nairobi Treaty on the Protection of the Olympic Symbol North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organizations Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Agreement (TRIPS), negotiated as part of the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) Trademark Law Treaty (TLT) World Intellectual Property Organization Convention (WIPO) WIPO Copyright Treaty (Internet Treaty) WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (Internet Treaty)
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