WTO Members to Extend TRIPS Transition for Least Developed Countries Until 2034

The deadline for least developed countries to align their intellectual property rights protections under the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, which was to expire July 1, is now July 1, 2034, a June 29 WTO news release said. TRIPS Council members approved the 13-year extension June 29. The TRIPS transition period for LDCs has twice before been extended -- in 2005 and 2013.