TRIPS, Human Rights, and Environmental Protection: A Legal Analysis
Abstract views: 25
/ 
PDF downloads: 13
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59022/ijlp.390Keywords:
Human Rights, Environmental Protection, Transitional Periods, TRIPS Agreement, Substantive Obligations, Sustainable DevelopmentAbstract
The TRIPS in the World Trade Organization (WTO) has a great impact on the balance of IPR, human rights, and environmental protection. This article examines the transitional provisions and substantive obligations of the TRIPS Agreement in order to consider their potential impact on the continuing promotion of human rights and environmental sustainability. The article discusses why these provisions, such as the “non-backsliding” (Article 65(5)) and “mail-box” (Article 70(8)) clauses, matter for international policy-making through comparative and qualitative analysis. The India, US, and Japan cases illustrate how a practical balance between the protection of IP, access to essential commodities, and environmental objectives is struck. The results highlight the urgency to reinforce TRIPS flexibilities, facilitate fair technology transfer, and foster collaboration. The study concludes that aligning TRIPS with sustainable development imperatives is essential for achieving a fair and inclusive international IP regime.
References
Amsalu, D. (2020). Implementing Human-Rights-Related Environmental Obligations in Ethiopia. In Human Rights and the Environment under African Union Law (pp. 263–285). Cham: Springer International Publishing. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46523-0_11 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-46523-0_11
Anton, D. K., Shelton, D. L. (2011). Environmental Protection and Human Rights. United States: Cambridge University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511974571
Arora, S., & Chat, R. (2017). Impact of TRIPS on Providing Easy Access to Affordable Medicines in India. Journal of Intellectual Property Rights, 22(5), 257–265.
Babovic, S., & Wasan, K. M. (2011). Impact of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement on India as a Supplier of Generic Antiretrovirals. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 100(3), 816–821. https://doi.org/10.1002/jps.22326 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jps.22326
Beiter, K. D. (2016). Establishing Conformity Between TRIPS and Human Rights: Hierarchy in International Law, Human Rights Obligations of the WTO and Extraterritorial State Obligations Under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. In MPI Studies on Intellectual Property and Competition Law (pp. 445–505). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-48107-3_14 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-48107-3_14
Bianchi, A., & Cruz, W. (2005). Local Approaches to Environmental Compliance: Japanese Case Studies and Lessons for Developing Countries. In M. Nakamura (Ed.), Local Approaches to Environmental Compliance (p. 3). Washington, D.C: World Bank Publications. Retrieved from https://ideas.repec.org/b/wbk/wbpubs/7344.html DOI: https://doi.org/10.1596/0-8213-6101-5
Bright, C., & Buhmann, K. (2021). Risk-Based Due Diligence, Climate Change, Human Rights and the Just Transition. Sustainability, 13(18), 1. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810454 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810454
Figueroa Hernández, A., & Hernández Benitez, Y. (2019). Los derechos de propiedad intelectual y el medio ambiente: Las negociaciones sobre el cambio climático. Revista La Propiedad Inmaterial, (28), 43–72. https://doi.org/10.18601/16571959.n28.02 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18601/16571959.n28.02
Frederick, A. (2013). Technical Note: The LDC TRIPS Transition Extension and the Question ofRollback. Social Science Research Network, 7. https://doi.org/10.7215/ip_pb_20130529 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7215/IP_PB_20130529
Geiger, C., & Desaunettes, L. (2020). The Revitalisation of the Object and Purpose of the TRIPS Agreement: The Plain Packaging Decision and the Awakening of the TRIPS Flexibility Clauses. SSRN Electronic Journal, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3556585 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3556585
Gendrin, C., Roggo, Y., & Collet, C. (2008). Pharmaceutical applications of vibrational chemical imaging and chemometrics: A review. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 48(3), 533–553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2008.08.014 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2008.08.014
Ghislieri, D., Green, A. P., Pontini, M., Willies, S. C., Rowles, I., Frank, A., … Turner, N. J. (2013). Engineering an Enantioselective Amine Oxidase for the Synthesis of Pharmaceutical Building Blocks and Alkaloid Natural Products. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 135(29), 10863–10869. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja4051235 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/ja4051235
González-Gomez, S., & García-Santillán, A. (2019). The TRIPS agreement implementation in Mexico. Implications for social responsibility and development. Journal of International Studies, 12(2), 46–65. https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-8330.2019/12-2/3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14254/2071-8330.2019/12-2/3
Grant, E. (2019). The American Convention on Human Rights and Environmental Rights Standards. In S. Turner & D. L. Shelton (Eds.), Environmental Rights (pp. 60–92). Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/9781108612500.004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108612500.004
Haugen, H. M. (2009). Human Rights and TRIPS Exclusion and Exception Provisions. The Journal of World Intellectual Property, 11(5), 345. https://doi.org/doi: 10.1111/j.1747-1796.2008. 00346.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-1796.2008.00346.x
Haugen, H. M. (2021). Does TRIPS (Agreement on Trade‐Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) prevent COVID‐19 vaccines as a global public good? The Journal of World Intellectual Property, 24(3–4), 205. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwip.12187 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jwip.12187
Heede, R. (2013). Tracing anthropogenic carbon dioxide and methane emissions to fossil fuel and cement producers, 1854–2010. Climatic Change, 122(1–2), 229–241. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-013-0986-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-013-0986-y
Helfer, L. R. (2003). Regime Shifting: The TRIPs Agreement and New Dynamics of International Intellectual Property Lawmaking. The Yale Journal of International Law, 29(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.459740 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.459740
Edson Beas Rodrigues, & Rodrigues, J. R., Jr. (2012). The General Exception Clauses of the TRIPS Agreement: Promoting Sustainable Development. Cambridge University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139084222
Knox, J. H. (2013). Report of the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment (p. 6).
Kohler, J., Tailor, L., & Wong, A. (2022). Improving Access to COVID-19 Vaccines: An Analysis of TRIPS Waiver Discourse among WTO Members, Civil Society Organizations, and Pharmaceutical Industry Stakeholders. Health and Human Rights Journal, 24(2), 159-175.
Lacey, W. (2010). Beyond the legalese and rhetoric: improving human rights protection in Australia. Australian Journal of Human Rights, 16(1), 1–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/1323238x.2010.11910877 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1323238X.2010.11910877
Loitongbam, & Singh, Bishwanjit. (2016, March 7). Impact of TRIPS and RTAs on the Indian Pharmaceutical Product Exports. Retrieved August 1, 2023, from MPRA website: https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/75764/
Manska, W. E. (1976). Non-rebounding article. Retrieved from https://lens.org/194-558-265-544-272
McManis, C. R. (1998). The Interface between International Intellectual Property and Environmental Protection: Biodiversity and Biotechnology. Washington University Law Quarterly, 76(255), 255-279.
Okediji, R. L. (2015). Legal innovation in International Intellectual Property Relations: Revisiting twenty-one years of the Trips Agreement. University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Law, 36(1), 191-268.
Oldham, P., Hall, S., & Forero, O. (2013). Biological Diversity in the Patent System. PLoS ONE, 8(11), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0078737 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0078737
Otten, A., & Wager, H. (1992). Compliance with TRIPS: The Emerging World View. Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law, 29(3), 391- 413.
Pawar, M. D. (2015). 10 years after implementation of TRIPS obligations in India. Pharmaceutical Patent Analyst, 4(3), 147–159. https://doi.org/10.4155/ppa.15.12 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4155/ppa.15.12
Ragavan, Srividhya. (2006). Of the Inequals of the Uruguay Round. Marquette Intellectual Property Law Review, 10(2), 274-304.
Rippl, C. G., Banjak, A., & Trefethren , S. M. (2003). Non-slip portable absorbent article.
Ruse-Khan, H. G. (2011). The International Law Relation Between TRIPS and Subsequent TRIPS-Plus Free Trade Agreements: Towards Safeguarding TRIPS Flexibilities? Journal of Intellectual Property Law, 18(2), 325–365.
Sachs, L. E., Merrill, E. N., & Johnson, L. (2020). Environmental Injustice: How treaties undermine human rights related to the environment. Social Science Research Network, 18, 90-100.
Seuba, X. (2010). Mainstreaming the TRIPS and Human Rights Interactions. In Research Handbook on the Protection of Intellectual Property under WTO Rules. Edward Elgar Publishing. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.4337/9781849806596.00012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781849806596.00012
Shah, R. (2021, August 16). Compulsory License: India. Retrieved July 24, 2023, from Kluwer Patent Blog website: https://patentblog.kluweriplaw.com/2021/08/16/compulsory-license-india/
Shelton, D. (2011). Human Rights and the Environment: Substantive Rights. In M. Fitzmaurica (Ed.), Research handbook in international law (p. 265). Edward Egar. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781849807265.00023
Shelton, D. (2017). Human Rights, Environmental Rights, and the Right to Environment. In Environmental Rights (pp. 509–544). Routledge. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315094427-21 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315094427-21
Sirish Tamvada, S. (2010). TRIPS and Human Rights: The Case of India. Jindal Global Law Review, 2(1), 131–152.
Slade, A. (2016). The Objectives and Principles of the WTO TRIPS Agreement: A Detailed Anatomy. Osgoode Hall Law Journal, 53(3), 948–998. https://doi.org/10.60082/2817-5069.3042 DOI: https://doi.org/10.60082/2817-5069.3042
Tenni, B., & Gleeson, D.,et. al. (2022). What is the impact of intellectual property rules on access to medicines? A systematic review. Globalization and Health, 18(40), 1-40. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-022-00826-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-022-00826-4
Toohey, L., & Crowe, J. (2014). The Illusory Reference of the Transitional State and Non-Market Economy Status. The Chinese Journal of Comparative Law, 2(2), 314-336. https://doi.org/10.1093/cjcl/cxu004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/cjcl/cxu004
Xiong, P. (2012). An International Law Perspective on the Protection of Human Rights in the TRIPS Agreement: An Interpretation of the TRIPS Agreement in Relation to the Right to Health. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004226593
Xu, J., Wu, L., & Chang, A. C. (2009). Degradation and adsorption of selected pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in agricultural soils. Chemosphere, 77(10), 1299–1305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.09.063 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.09.063
Yu, P. K. (2019). Intellectual Property and Human Rights. University of Richmond Law Review, 53.1375-1452.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Jamshid Kazimi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
