Uruguay Round Agreements Act

United States [1994]

Also known as: URAA

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July 22, 2026

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The Uruguay Round Agreements Act of 1994 was a pivotal piece of U.S. legislation that implemented the results of the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations. This round, which concluded in 1994, led to the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, succeeding the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The act aimed to reduce tariffs, eliminate trade barriers, and promote freer international trade. It addressed a wide range of trade issues, including goods, services, and intellectual property, significantly shaping global trade policies and practices.123

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…1994, when Congress passed the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA) in order to bring U.S. copyright laws into accord with the Berne Convention. Prior to that year, the law stipulated that a creative work fell into the public domain if its rights holder did not renew the claim with the…
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…1994, when Congress passed the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA) in order to bring U.S. copyright laws into accord with the Berne Convention. Prior to that year, the law stipulated that a creative work fell into the public domain if its rights holder did not renew the claim with the…
Read More