Focus Topics

• Gatt/WTO basics
• "Rounds" -Uruguay Rounds
• Most Favored Nation
• Dispute Resolution
• WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)

• Gatt Procedures
• Originally passed in 1947
• Tariff and Non-tariff Barriers
• Talks occur in "Rounds"
• Most Favored Nation Principle
• Dispute Resolution not automatic

• Uruguay Rounds
• 1986-1994
• Addressed IP issues
• agree to enter discussions on IP issues
• TRIPS

• Tariff/Non-tariff concessions granted to one member must be granted to all members
• Applies only to members
• 3 sets of Tariff levels
• Standard
• MFN
• Developing

Membership

• Automatic MFN to members
• Year by year review for non-member MFN treatment
• Key non-member
• (China)

• Emphasizes consultation between complainant and offender
• Consult between parties
• Request Panel (can be blocked)
• Panel investigates and submits report
• Vote to accept report requires consensus-(can be blocked)
• Implementation of recommendations-not mandatory

• Similar procedures
• does not provide opportunity for the offending nation to black procedures
• principle of automaticity
• can’t block investigation unless rejected by consensus
• adoption and implementation automatic unless rejected by consensus
• TRIPS
• Trade Relating to Aspects of Intellectual Property

• Compensation
• removal of tarriff privileges for offending nation in amount approximate to damages
• concessions to offended party to "make up"
• Retaliation
• same sector
• cross retaliation (Uruguay)

• http://www.wipo.org/eng/main.htm

-http://legal.web.aol.com/ecommerc/current/jurisdiction/cases.html

International News

-Http: numerous sites

Commercial Speech

• http://www.news.com/News/Item/0,4,26055,00.html?st.ne.ni.lh

• http://legal.web.aol.com/ecommerc/current/index.html