论经贸条约中知识产权透明度规则的扩张及中国应对

On the Expansion of the Intellectual Property Transparency Rules in Economic and Trade Treaties and China’s Response

相比于《TRIPS协定》,当前影响力较大的FTA的知识产权章节所反映的知识产权保护标准体现出了明显的TRIPS-Plus特征,其中的透明度程序性条款及知识产权实体性条款中的透明度要求亦反映了该趋势。从内容上看,《TRIPS协定》关于透明度的规定较为简略,已经无法满足当前国际贸易及投资中各国的信息需求,FTA对公布的方式和公布的时限以及参与的主体作出了更为细化的规定。从条款的约束性上看,FTA的知识产权透明度规则更具灵活性,RCEP的透明度规则还进一步加强了条约的执行力。从FTA知识产权透明度规则的对比上看,发达国家主导的CPTPP的知识产权透明度规则更为细致且约束力更强。《中美第一阶段经贸协议》这一双边FTA中不合理的知识产权透明度义务将加重我国的负担。从透明度规则本身的发展趋势看,知识产权透明度问题未来将因知识产权与国际投资的紧密联系而受到更大关注。对此,我国应当进一步明确透明度规则要求公布的信息的范围,遵守FTA义务进一步提升信息透明度,同时维护国家主权,坚持共同同意原则之下的信息交换。

Compared with the TRIPS Agreement, the intellectual property(IP) protection standards reflected in the IP chapters of the current influential FTA show obvious TRIPS-Plus characteristics. The transparency requirements in the transparency procedural clauses and the substantive IP clauses also reflect the TRIPS-Plus trend. From the content point of view, the simple provisions of TRIPS on transparency are no longer enough to meet the information needs of countries in current international trade and investment, while the method and time limit of FTA announcement, as well as the participants, stipulated in more detail. In terms of the compulsory degree of clauses, the IP transparency rules of FTA are more flexible and the transparency rules of RCEP have further strengthened the enforcement of the treaty. Comparing the IP transparency rules in multilateral and bilateral FTA, rules of CPTPP which are dominated by developed countries are more detailed and binding. The unreasonable obligation of IP transparency rules in the China-US phase-one economic and trade agreement will increase the burden of China. From the perspective of the future trend of transparency rules, the transparency of IP will receive more attention because of the linkage between IP and international investment. In this regard, China should further clarify the scope of information to be published according to the transparency clause, abide by FTA obligations, further enhance information transparency, and adhere to information exchange under the principle of sovereignty and common consent.