Term:
Mailbox
Definition:

Refers to the requirement of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement applying to WTO members which do not yet provide product patent protection for pharmaceuticals and for agricultural chemicals. Since 1 January 1995, when the WTO agreements entered into force, these countries have to establish a means by which applications of patents for these products can be filed. (An additional requirement says they must also put in place a system for granting “exclusive marketing rights” for the products whose patent applications have been filed.)

Domain:
International Trade
Source:
OECD glossary
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