Can a country exit the TRIPS Agreement without exiting the WTO?
<p>Is it possible for a country to exit the TRIPS Agreement without exiting the WTO?</p>

<p>My question is basically whether or not the TRIPS Agreement is an essential part of the WTO or basically supplementary and optional for members.</p>

<p>Context:
I am Politically Active in Switzerland and want to figure out how I could reduce the Length of Copyright in Switzerland. I understand that we would first have to leave the Bern agreement but then there is also the TRIPS Agreement which limits how low I can go again. As far as I understand it those two agreements are pretty much it.</p>

<p>TRIPS is an essential part of the WTO. Article II(2) of the <em><a href="https://www.wto.org/english/docs_e/legal_e/04-wto_e.htm" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization</a></em>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The agreements and associated legal instruments included in Annexes 1, 2 and 3 (hereinafter referred to as “Multilateral Trade Agreements”) are integral parts of this Agreement, binding on all Members.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>TRIPS is part of Annex 1.</p>

copyright international switzerland