Even though an individual may have taken all of the necessary steps to protect their intellectual property rights in their home country, it does not guarantee protection of these rights in other countries. Given the widespread distribution of pirated and counterfeit goods in the international marketplace, it is important for individuals to receive intellectual property protections across national borders. One of the multinational treaties providing protection against intellectual property right violations is the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs).