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TRIPS

1. Coverage
• Copyright and related rights (i.e. the rights of performers, producers of sound recordings and broadcasting organizations);
• Trademarks including service marks;
• Geographical indications including appellations of origin;
• Industrial designs; patents including the protection of new varieties of plants;
• The layout-designs of integrated circuits;
• Undisclosed information including trade secrets and test data.
2. Main features
• Minimum standards: Paris (Industrial Property), Berne (Literary and Artistic works), Rome (neighboring rights), Washington (Integrated Circuits) conventions;
• Enforcement: civil and administrative procedures and remedies;
• Dispute Settlement.
3. Basic principles
• MFN and NT;
• Technology transfer;
• LDCs are extended exemption until July 1, 2013 for IPs and until 2016 for pharmaceutical products. In 2005 a week before Hong Kong ministerial a permanent waiver adopted for exports of pharmaceuticals manufactured under compulsory licences to countries that are unable to produce them.
4. Copyright
• Berne Convention (1885) and Paris act (1971);
• Duration: life of the author plus 50 years;
• Exceptions. Moral rights; Developing countries allowed to limit translation and reproduction rights;
• Includes computer programs and databases;
5. Trademarks and service marks
• Duration: 10 years in Armenia plus renewable indefinitely;
• Fees: 30000 for application, 15000 for each additional product group, 50000 for certificate.
6. Geographical indications
• Wines and spirits: higher levels of protection, i.e. even where there is no danger of the public being misled;
• Duration: 10 years in Armenia plus renewable indefinitely;
• Fees: 30000 for registration, 50000 for certificate.
7. Industrial designs
8. Patents
• 20 years both for product and process;
• Fees: 20000 for application, 180000 for expertise, 100000 for each year during 20 years, natural persons pay 25%;
• Compulsory licensing.
9. Integrated circuits layout designs
• Duration: 10 years in Armenia.
10. Undisclosed information and trade secrets