Volume & Issue: Volume 4, Issue 13, Spring 2016, Pages 1-170 

Principles of Law and Interpretation ofWTO Regulations

Pages 29-51

https://doi.org/10.22054/jplr.2016.3488

Azam Ansari, Mohammad Mahdi Hajian

Abstract Like a number of international treaties, provisions of WTO Agreements are subject to ambiguities and problems. Hence, interpretation of WTO provisions is of great importance to Dispute Settlement Body of World Trade Organization and international trade lawyers. In this regard, using general principles of law provided, particularly, by Articles 31 and 32 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT) require special attention. This Article intends to provide an answer to this question: To what extent are these principles able to affect the interpretation of WTO provisions. By considering different interpretation methods, this Article shows that the general principles of law play an undeniable role in interpreting and understanding the provisions of WTO. Applying these principles assists the panels and appellate body to discharge their function and lead to convergence between WTO and other international legal systems. This approach has been affirmed by WTO Dispute Settlement Body.

Discharge of Civil Liability of Physicians in New Islamic Penal Code of Iran

Pages 53-80

https://doi.org/10.22054/jplr.2016.3489

Mohammad Hadi Daraei

Abstract The new Islamic Penal Code of 1392, on the one hand delimitate the liability
of physicians, but on the other hand, it contains new provisions for protecting
patients.The new Code sets aside liability based on the theory of lack of fault of
physicians, which is the common word of Imamiyeh jurists and was adopted in
the 1370 Code. Instead, the new Code adopts the theory of presumed liability. In
addition, to give more protection to physicians, obtaining patient`s consent
exempts physicians from liability. Moreover, the new Code indicates that if
patient or nurse is aware of the error of medical order, physicians have no
liability. A further change is the affirmation of bona fide as a means of discharge
of civil liability. As it was stated, the new Code has provisions in order to protect
patients. Also, it gradate physicians and make them updated in accordance with
the latest developments of medical sciences. Hence, it is provided that any
scientific or practical fault or default(neglect) of physician, make him liable.
This means that the ignorance of medical science and new methods of treatments
is regarded as a cause of civil liability. It seems that this regulation is the
turning point in the Panel Code to protect the patients, although this evolution
should have been clearer.

Economic Analysis Of Collective Management of Patent: Patent Pools

Pages 109-133

https://doi.org/10.22054/jplr.2016.3491

Mohsen Sadeghi, Mahmood Jafari Chaleshtori

Abstract As a result of the advancement of technology, using the patent and the relationship among inventors have been developed. These factors have put forward a new type of contract called “patent pools”. Pool is a means to manage and commercialize the patent. Pool is a collective management of inventions resulting from legal-economic circumstances, such as patent thicket, collaboration among inventors, increase in research activities, avoiding the possible patent infringement, reducing transaction costs. By considering that Iran is dealing with these agreements in its development stages, this article aims to fill the gap in terms of literature. This article analytically examines related literature by addressing this question: How can inventors, consumers and society benefit from these contracts. In dealing with this question, cost-benefit analysis is considered. This paper first defines the pool and its features, and then analyzes its economic fundamentals.