A case against enforcement of patent rights in transit: Resolving the unresolved controversy

IF 0.7 Q2 LAW
Siddhant Pengoriya
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Abstract

This paper delves into the complex legal landscape surrounding the enforcement of intellectual property (IP) rights on goods in transit, using the contentious EU–India–Brazil dispute as a case study. The dispute centers on the seizure of generic pharmaceutical shipments transiting through the Netherlands, leading to patent infringement complaints by Dutch patent holders. The heart of the matter lies in the interpretation of Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (TRIPS) Agreement provisions, specifically Articles 51, 52, and Footnote 13, in conjunction with General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 (GATT) Article V and XX(d), which addresses the freedom of transit. Since the dispute was never conclusively decided by World Trade Organisation Dispute Settlement Body, the concerns are still alive and merit discussion.

The author contends that enforcing patent rights on goods in transit contradicts the principles of territoriality and commerciality inherent in patent laws and infringes upon the freedom of transit articulated in the GATT. Drawing from the perspectives of scholars and legal experts, this paper presents a nuanced argument that seeks to reconcile the seemingly contradictory provisions. It proposes Footnote 13, of TRIPS be read down to allow enforcement only when there is a risk of diversion into the transit country's commercial channels.

Moreover, the paper argues normatively, emphasizing the adverse impact of transit enforcement on international trade, especially for developing and least developed countries. In conclusion, it underscores the urgency of addressing this issue to protect global trade interests while safeguarding the rights of developing nations and promoting equitable access to essential goods.

专利权在途强制执行一案:未决争议的解决
本文以有争议的欧盟-印度-巴西争端为例,深入研究了围绕过境货物知识产权执法的复杂法律环境。争议的焦点是扣押通过荷兰运输的仿制药,导致荷兰专利持有人提出专利侵权投诉。问题的核心在于对《与贸易有关的知识产权协定》(TRIPS)条款的解释,特别是第51条、第52条和脚注13条,以及《1994年关税与贸易总协定》(GATT)第5条和第20条(d)项的解释,这些条款涉及过境自由。由于世界贸易组织(wto)争端解决机构(dispute Settlement Body)从未就该争端作出最终裁决,这些担忧仍然存在,值得讨论。发件人认为,对过境货物实施专利权违反了专利法固有的地域性和商业性原则,并侵犯了关贸总协定所阐明的过境自由。从学者和法律专家的角度出发,本文提出了一个微妙的论点,试图调和看似矛盾的条款。它建议对《与贸易有关的知识产权协定》的脚注13进行解读,以便只有在存在转移到过境国商业渠道的风险时才允许强制执行。此外,本文还进行了规范性论证,强调过境执法对国际贸易的不利影响,特别是对发展中国家和最不发达国家的不利影响。总之,它强调了解决这一问题的紧迫性,以保护全球贸易利益,同时维护发展中国家的权利,促进公平获得基本商品。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
1.50
自引率
0.00%
发文量
43
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