WALKING THE WTO LINE

The World Trade Organization's agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights established minimum levels of protection on issues that WTO signatories agree to observe.

• Copyright: Computer programs are protected as literary works; program authors can prohibit rental of their work; performers and producers can bar bootlegging of their work.

• Trademarks: Any sign capable of distinguishing goods and services from those of other undertakings, must be eligible for registration as a trademark; service marks must be protected in the same way as trademarks for goods.

• Geographical indications: Place names that are used to identify a product, such as "Champagne" and "Scotch," are protected and goods produced elsewhere are not allowed to use those names.

• Industrial designs: Industrial designs are protected for at least 10 years.

• Patents: Patent protection must be available for inventions for at least 20 years and should be available for products and processes, with certain exceptions.

• Integrated circuits: Layout designs are protected for at least 10 years, among other things.

• Undisclosed information: Trade secrets that have commercial value are protected against breach of confidence.

Source: WTO's TRIPS accord