International Organizations (Part – III)

Total Questions: 50

41. With reference to Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs), which of the following statements is/are correct? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2017]

1. Quantitative restrictions on imports by foreign investors are prohibited.

2. They apply to investment measures related to trade in both goods and services.

3.They are not concerned with the regulation of foreign investment

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c) 2 and 3 only

Solution:India has ratified the new Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of WTO in April, 2016. Concluded at the WTO's 2013 Bali Ministerial Conference, the TFA contains provisions for expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including goods in transit. The TFA would have to enter into force once two-thirds of the WTO membership has formally accepted the Agreement. India was the 76th WTO member to accept the TFA. The WTO's TFA came into force in February, 2017 after its ratification by two-third of the WTO membership.

42. Following are the subjects of Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights related to trade: [U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001]

1. Trade Marks

2. Industrial designs

3. Geographical Indications

4. Labour Standards

Choose the correct answer from the given codes:

(a) 1
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) All of the above

Correct Answer: (c) 1, 2 and 3

Solution:The WTO Agreement on 'Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights' (TRIPS) is the most comprehensive multilateral agreement on Intellectual Property (IP). It plays a central role in facilitating trade in knowledge and creativity and in resolving the trade disputes over IP. TRIPS covers the following forms of Intellectual Property Rights: 1. Copyright and related Rights, 2. Trade Marks, 3. Geographical Indications, 4. Industrial Designs, 5. Patents, 6. Layout-Designs (Topographies) of Integrated Circuits, 7. Trade Secrets. Labour standards is not included in Intellectual Property (IP). TRIPS agreement came into force on 1 January, 1995.

43. Which of the following is not included in TRIPS agreement for granting protection ? [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl.) (Pre) 2010]

(a) Trade Marks
(b) Layout - Designs of Integrated Circuits
(c) Geographical Indications
(d) Plant Breeding

Correct Answer: (d) Plant Breeding

Solution:Plant breeding is not included in TRIPS agreement for granting protection. Trade Marks, Layout-Designs of Integrated Circuits, Geographical Indications, Patents, Trade Secrets and Copyrights are included in TRIPS for granting protection.

TRIPS stands for "Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights." It is an international agreement that is part of the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework. TRIPS was established to establish consistent and standardized rules for intellectual property (IP) rights on a global scale, ensuring that member countries have a common framework for protecting various forms of intellectual property, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets.
The TRIPS agreement aims to strike a balance between promoting innovation and ensuring that access to essential goods and services, especially in fields like healthcare, remains accessible to all. It sets minimum standards for IP protection and enforcement that member countries are required to implement within their legal systems.

44. Consider the investments in the following assets: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2023]

1. Brand recognition

2. Inventory

3. Intellectual property

4. Mailing list of clients

How many of the above are considered intangible

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Correct Answer: (c) Only three

Solution:An intangible asset is an identifiable non-monetary asset, without physical substance, held for use in the production or supply of goods or services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes. Intangible assets includes brand recognition, goodwill, customer lists, mortgage servicing rights, franchises, customer or supplier relationships, customer loyalty, and intellectual properties like trademarks, patents, and copyrights etc. Investment in these are considered as intangible investments.

A tangible asset is an asset that has physical substance. They are typically physical assets or property owned by a company, such as buildings, rolling stock, inventory, manufacturing equipment or machinery, and office furniture etc. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

45. With reference to the 'National Intellectual Property Rights Policy', consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2017]

1. It reiterates India's commitment to the Doha Development Agenda and the TRIPS Agreement.

2. Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion is the nodal agency for regulating intellectual property rights in India.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Solution:In May 2016, the Union Cabinet approved the 'National Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Policy' that will lay the future road map for intellectual property in India. The IPR policy recognizes that India has a well-established TRIPS- compliant legislative, administrative and judicial framework to safeguard IPRs and it reiterates India's commitment to the Doha Development Agenda and the TRIPS Agreement. The action towards objectives of IPR policy by different Ministries/Departments shall be monitored by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (Now Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade), which shall be the nodal agency to coordinate, guide and oversee implementation and future development of IPRs in India.

46. Consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2017]

1. India has ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of WTO.

2. TFA is a part of WTO's Bali Ministerial Package of 2013

3. TFA came into force in January 2016.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

47. India enacted The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 in order to comply with the obligations to: [I.A.S (Pre) 2018]

(a) ILO
(b) IMF
(c) UNCTAD
(d) WTO

Correct Answer: (d) WTO

Solution:The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 (GI Act) is an Act of the Parliament of India for protection of geographical indications in India. India, as member of the WTO (World Trade Organization), enacted the Act to comply with the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (WTO-TRIPS), Geographical indications are covered as an element of IPRs (Intellectual Property Rights) under the WTO-TRIPS Agreement.

48. In order to comply with TRIPS Agreement, India enacted the Geoprahical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The difference/differences between a 'Trade Mark' and a 'Geographical Indication' is/are: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2010]

1. A Trade Mark is an individual or a company's right whereas a Geographical Indication is a community's right.

2. A Trade Mark can be licensed whereas a Geographical Indication cannot be licensed.

3. A Trade Mark is assigned to the manufactured goods whereas the Geographical Indication is assigned to the agricultural goods/products and handicraft only.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 2 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 2

Solution:A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to its origin. Gls are typically used for agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts and manufactured goods. So, statements 3rd is not correct.

A Trade Mark is a sign capable of distinguishing the goods or services of one enterprise from those of other enterprises. Trade Marks are protected by IPRs (Intellectual Property Rights). It is an individual or a company's right which can be licensed. The GI is a community's right originating from a definite geographical territory and it is licensed but has to be registered with Registrar of Geographical Indications. Therefore, statement 1 and 2 are correct.

49. Consider the following statements- [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 1998]

Statement (A): Under the WTO obligations, it is not necessary to reduce subsidy in India's agriculture sector.

Reason (R): India is a developing country.

With reference to the above which of the following is the correct answer-

Code:

(a) A and R both are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) A and R both are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.

Correct Answer: (d) A is false, but R is true.

Solution:As per the Agreement on Agriculture (AOA) of the WTO, it was necessary to reduce (from the establishment of WTO) the export subsidy provided by developed countries to agriculture by at least 36% (by value) or by 21% (by volume) over six years (from 1986-1990 levels). For developing countries, the agreement required cuts were 24% (by value) and 14% (by volume) over ten years. For domestic support policies, subject to reduction commitments, the total support given in 1986-88, measured by the Total Aggregate Measure of Support (total AMS), had to reduced by 20% in developed countries and 13.3% in developing countries within six years and ten years respectively. Hence, statement is wrong while reason is correct.

50. The terms 'Agreement on Agriculture', 'Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures' and 'Peace Clause' appear in news frequently in the context of the affairs of the: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2015]

(a) Food and Agriculture Organization
(b) United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change
(c) World Trade Organization
(d) United Nations Environment Programme

Correct Answer: (c) World Trade Organization

Solution:'Agreement on Agriculture', 'Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosantiary Measures' and 'Peace Clause' are related to World Trade Organization.

About World Trade Organisation (WTO)

World Trade Organisation is a global multilateral organisation established in 1995 for the rules based trading between the nations of the world.
It is a global membership group that promotes and manages free trade.
It serves as a forum for governments to negotiate trade agreements and settle trade disputes.
Overall, it aims to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers
conduct their international businesses smoothly.
At present, the WTO consists of
∗ 164 members (including European Union), and
∗ 23 observer governments (like Iraq, Iran, Bhutan, Libya etc).

« Previous 1 2 3 45