ABSTRACT
The work encompasses the status of intellectual property protection prior to the introduction of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), the States’ response to their obligations to meet TRIPS requirements, the impact of external influences through bilateral trade agreements and areas which fall outside the TRIPS protection spectrum. The efforts of the Arabian Peninsula States to protect mainstream intellectual property rights in a remarkably short period of time are impressive. Societies in developing countries will continue to resist changes to their intellectual property laws, and when they do make changes, they will be slow to enforce them in favour of foreign corporations at the expense of local merchants. The establishment of the national and regional intellectual property infrastructures, and the skills development of the human resources to give effect to these national needs and aspirations, will continue to be significant but surmountable challenges.
