This article examines the treatment in the EU of trade secrets, which are not recognized in many EU Member States as intellectual property. The authors analyze the EU’s obligations under international treaties (notably TRIPS) and under European law (notably the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights...

Between 2005 and 2011, there was much debate within Canada and at the United Nations over what role home states should play in the regulation and adjudications of human rights harms associated with transnational corporate conduct. In Canada, this debate focused upon concerns associated with...

In recent years, major natural disasters — ranging from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami to the 2010 Haiti earthquake — have challenged the global community to ensure the survival and well-being of millions of individuals under the most difficult circumstances. Each of these natural disasters...

One of the more worrying trends in globalization today is the growing practice of western companies relocating clinical trials to impoverished countries. This paper starts by providing a comprehensive description of the practice and its current regulatory oversight. It argues that this...

The global food system is exceeding ecological limits while failing to meet the nutritional needs of a large segment of the world’s population. While law could play an important role in facilitating the transition to a more just and ecologically sustainable food system, the current legal...

In the United States, discussions regarding adolescent health, particularly in the political and legal arenas, frequently focus on one of two issues: abortion and medical decision making. These are important issues that merit considered attention, but there is much more to adolescent health....

This note is part of a series of articles exploring the legal implications of Israel's 2008-2009 'Operation Cast Lead' offensive against Hamas in Gaza and explores the legal implications of the offensive and Israel's control of Gaza's borders in light of the human right to adequate food. The...

The original mandate of the UN Special Representative on business and human rights said that he should 'develop materials and methodologies for undertaking human rights impact assessments.' Since then, tools for human rights impact assessment (HRIA) have developed by different actors. This...

Concerns have been expressed over the role of WIPO in influencing the intellectual property policies of other specialized agencies of the United Nations. This article reviews the policies of FAO, WHO and UNESCO, in addition to WIPO itself, and finds very interesting patterns of cooperation....