efta_ip_dec07-1d4a9d71ad7f81b7.pdf

The briefing examines the adverse effects of EFTA's intellectual property requirements in FTAs, highlighting how data exclusivity in the EFTA-Egypt FTA restricts access to affordable medicines and how requirements for UPOV 1991 accession threaten seed-sharing traditions and food security for poor farmers. It concludes that these TRIPS-Plus obligations overextend the policy capacity of developing nations without providing clear advantages to EFTA.

• Intellectual property provisions in EFTA FTAs, such as those in the EFTA-Egypt FTA, can restrict access to medicines by implementing data exclusivity. The EFTA-Egypt FTA provides 5 years of protection for undisclosed information, which limits the entry of generic producers into the market and hinders price reductions for essential medications.
• Requirements for accession to UPOV 1991 in FTAs threaten food security by restricting the traditional practice of saving, sharing, and exchanging seeds. This forces poor farmers into dependency on the cash economy and seed companies, potentially leading to cycles of debt.
• There is an inconsistency in UPOV 1991 requirements, as Norway and Liechtenstein had not ratified the agreement as of June 18, 2007. This creates an unfair dynamic where developing partners are pushed toward the stronger UPOV 1991 text while some EFTA states have not adopted it.
• The author concludes that TRIPS-Plus standards pursued by EFTA restrict the ability of developing countries to design innovation systems appropriate for their development, specifically regarding education, food security, and public health.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (n.d.). efta_ip_dec07-1d4a9d71ad7f81b7.pdf. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/EFTA_IP_Dec07.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. efta_ip_dec07-1d4a9d71ad7f81b7.pdf. n.d. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/EFTA_IP_Dec07.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=efta_ip_dec07-1d4a9d71ad7f81b7.pdf |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/EFTA_IP_Dec07.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallawndeftaipdec071d4a9d71ad7f81b7pdf, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{efta\_ip\_dec07-1d4a9d71ad7f81b7.pdf}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/EFTA_IP_Dec07.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }