THE TRIPS REVIEW TAKES OFF by GRAIN | 15 Dec 1998 Seedling - December 1998 In 1999 the member states of the WTO are launching a review of the controversial TRIPS agreement. The review is gearing up to be the next battleground for the life patents issue. In 1999 the member states of the WTO are launching a review of the controversial TRIPS agreement. The review is gearing up to be the next battleground for the life patents issue.