A CRITICAL STUDY ON UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICE: EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF DOHA DECLARATION ON GLOBAL EQUITY

AUTHOR – MRIDHULA KORAPATI, STUDENT AT SAVEETHA SCHOOL OF LAW, SAVEETHA INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL AND TECHNICAL SCIENCES (SIMATS), SAVEETHA UNIVERSITY, CHENNAI- 600 077.

BEST CITATION – MRIDHULA KORAPATI, A CRITICAL STUDY ON UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICE: EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF DOHA DECLARATION ON GLOBAL EQUITY, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (12) OF 2025, PG. 250-265, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

Unfair trade practices (UTPs) refer to deceptive, fraudulent, or unethical business conduct that distorts competition and harms consumers. The Doha Declaration, adopted during the WTO Ministerial Conference in 2001, primarily focused on public health, trade flexibility, and fair trade practices, particularly concerning intellectual property rights under the TRIPS Agreement. The aim of the research paper is to conduct a critical study of unfair trade practices, with a special focus on the Doha Declaration and its impact on global trade regulations, intellectual property rights (IPR), and access to essential goods, especially pharmaceuticals. The objective is  to examine the concept and types of unfair trade practices in international trade, To analyze the role of the Doha Declaration in addressing unfair trade practices, with a focus on public health and intellectual property rights. The methodology of the research is that, This empirical study collected data from 211 respondents in Chennai using convenience sampling. Key variables included age, gender, education, and occupation. The study used cluster graphs, ANOVA, and chi-square tests to assess the necessity of unfair trade protection in ensuring fair and safe trade between consumers and sellers. The Finidings of the study is  that despite the Doha Declaration’s intent to promote fair trade, unfair practices persist due to corporate influence, weak enforcement. In the pharmaceutical sector, TRIPS-related patent protections have increased drug prices, limiting access to essential medicines, while developing countries face legal and economic barriers in utilizing compulsory licensing. The conclusion is  that while the Doha Declaration was a significant step toward addressing unfair trade practices, medicines, as developing nations face economic and political barriers when attempting to use compulsory licensing.

KEY WORD :Doha Declaration, Unfair Trade Practices, Trade Regulations, Property Rights, Global Equity.