Intellectual property

Saturday, 4 July 2009

Intellectual property rights form a cornerstone of the global knowledge economy. But as the economic importance of these rights has grown, so too has controversy over their impacts on developing countries.

(Photo credit: USAID/R.Buckley)

Opinions and Analysis

Cooperation not compulsion on clean technology transfer

Compulsory licensing of clean technologies will only be needed if developed countries duck UNFCCC obligations, says Dalindyebo Shabalala.

3 June 2009 | EN | ES

Support Kenyan researchers to innovate more

Kenyans must use patents to protect their innovations and use local know-how to speed up discoveries, says a Business Daily Africa editorial.

7 April 2009 | EN
Source: Business Daily Africa

Will Glaxo's big plans really benefit the poor?

6 March 2009 | EN
Source: The Lancet

Time to rethink intellectual property laws?

23 January 2009 | EN | ES | FR | 中文

MORE Opinions MORE Analysis

Policy Briefs

Bioprospecting: legitimate research or 'biopiracy'?

A growing number of critics of 'bioprospecting' complain that companies often fail to adequately compensate holders of traditional knowledge, and that patents on products developed in this way are actually a form of intellectual piracy.

26 May 2003 | EN | 中文

What impact do IPR rules have on food security?

An important issue raised by current debates on intellectual property rights — particularly in the context of their impact on developing countries — are the consequences that legislation protecting such rights may have for food security.

1 October 2001 | EN

MORE Policy Briefs