The GCC intellectual property regimes: Global harmonization or regional integration?

Abstract

This chapter examines the endeavors of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states in establishing national intellectual property protection regimes which both meet their international treaty obligations and are congruent with their domestic policy objectives and needs. The starting point for this examination is the benchmark represented by the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and the states' response to their obligations to meet TRIPS requirements. Although Yemen is not yet a member of the GCC or the WTO, the current status of its intellectual property regime receives some attention.