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