The Protection of Test and Other Data Required by Article 39.3 of the TRIPS Agreement

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the origins, purpose and scope of protection for test and other data required by TRIPS Article 39.3. Through this analysis, which looks to the ordinary meaning of the provision in proper context in the same manner as would a WTO dispute settlement panel or the WTO Appellate Body, we conclude that Article 39.3 provides protection against the unjust or unfair application or conversion of certain test and other data to make a profit or to obtain a benefit. Such protection must be provided long enough to allow the originator to at least recoup its investment in data production.