摘要
《维也纳条约法公约》第31条的条约解释通则已经在WTO的争端解决案件中得到普遍适用。专家组在解释条文中争议用语的通常意义时,往往以词典释义为基础,结合条约解释通则来确定和澄清争议用语的含义。词典释义作为文本解释的一种具体方法有其适用的正当性。司法实践中,WTO争端解决机构对于词典种类、品牌和版本的选用没有形成一个明确的指导规则。结合WTO有关TRIPS争端中的词典释义的实践进行分析,能给我们一些有益的启示。
The general rule of interpretation set out in the article 31 of the VCLT has been relied upon by all WTO DSB participants. When the panel has to explain the ordinary meaning of the dispute terms, usually they interpret them based on the dictionary meaning, and taking into account of the general rule of the treaty interpretation. The application of the dictionary meaning used in the treaty interpretation is a useful and justified approach. In the judicial practice, WTO DSB has no consensus to guide the application on the following items： the kinds, the brands and the version of the specific dictionary. Analyzing the different scenarios from the perspective of the WTO TRIPS dispute settlement case, we will have some instructive enlightenment.
