Protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs) has become a global issue. The Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) Agreement outlines the minimum standards for IPR protection for WTO members and offers a global regime for IPR protection. However, the benefits of TRIPS are more questionable in poorer countries where national infrastructure for research and development (R&D) and social protection are inadequate, whereas the cost of innovation is high. Today the problems remain acute, although there is also evidence of progress and cooperation. The second edition of this seminal text retraces the origins, content and interpretations of the TRIPS Agreement and examines various views of the role of IPRs as incentives for innovation against the backdrop of development and the transfer of technology. The book also looks into the ways in which innovation is evaluated and priced, and analyses sources of controversy over IPRs, such as the question of access to medicines. Taking into consideration the relationship between international treaties relating to IPRs and those concerning human rights, the book examines the relevance of IPRs to these issues and explores various ways to resolve possible conflicts. Updated throughout, this comprehensive and authoritative work allows the reader to acquire a thorough understanding of a complex yet important field.