RCEP IP Chapter: Another TRIPS-Plus Agreement?

On 15 November 2020, Asian states signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)1 that concluded years of negotiations despite uphill geo-political issues. The agreement is likely to create a populous trade area, boosting intra-regional investment and resulting in an important foreign direct destination.2 Generally speaking, RCEP builds on free agreements (FTAs) between members with commitment market access harmonizes rules related investment. It also provides skeleton for future based existing commitments. According recently released summary by Secretariat, aims establish ‘modern, comprehensive, high-quality, mutually beneficial economic partnership will facilitate expansion regional contribute global growth development’.3 significance more rather than classical norm-maker – norm-taker relationship. No...