7.4b World Trade Organisation - Patents Flashcards
1
Q
Patents background
A
1995
WTO introduced need for patents
2
Q
Purpose for patents
A
Protect intellectual property so inventor had right of ownership for their idea (originally to protect Westernised companies from global competition)
3
Q
Consequence of patents
A
Counterfeiting accounted for 2.5% of world imports in 2013 and 5% of EU imports. Mostly US, Italian and French brands and products from China.
4
Q
How have TNCs used patents to maintain wealth
A
Patents developed by pharmaceutical companies make medicines unaffordable to poorer countries
5
Q
How have TNCs used patents to maintain wealth example
A
HIV treatment, also known as ARV, are expensive.
Causes barrier to HIV treatment in sub-Saharan Africa, worst affected area in world for HIV/AIDS
