The article shows that international laws don't protect traditional cultural marks well from being stolen. Developed countries have stronger laws for protecting intellectual property, while developing countries have weaker ones. The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) set global standards, but it doesn't do enough to safeguard traditional marks. Companies from developed nations can take traditional marks from developing countries without breaking the law. For example, a UK company tried to trademark the word "kikoi," a term for a traditional East African skirt. The article argues that current laws are not enough to stop this kind of theft and suggests a simple solution to protect traditional cultural marks.