Recent global developments in the regulation of trade and intellectual property rights threaten to hinder the access of populations in developing countries to essential drugs. The authors argue for state intervention in the health and pharmaceutical markets in order to guarantee equitable access to these products.

This paper explores the interaction between long run economic growth, financial development, and intellectual property rights through a general equilibrium, over-lapping generation, infinite horizon, endogenous R&D model with heterogeneous agents. I find that a reduced collateral constraint leads to both an ability to engage more heavily in research and a reduced incentive to engage in research...

this paper examines the relationship between environmental law and intellectual property law in light of international documents and procedures. the key question raised here is the role of intellectual property law in conservation of global environment. in this regard, we can express two general approaches: the neutral theory of intellectual property right and the systemic theory of intellectua...

granting of intellectual property rights on biological materials could be very contentious issue from cultural, legal, ethical and religious points of view. this could be even more complicated, once it acquires an international dimension. the agreement on trade related intellectual property rights (trips) is the latest international arrangement under which, a complex structure for international...

Background: For several centuries, there has been a debate about the dimensions of intellectual property to support the thinkers of society and prevent their exploitation. Unfortunately, this invisible and powerful asset is increasingly vulnerable. Therefore, establishing favorable regulations, guaranteeing proper criminal enforcement and effective enforcement of laws in order to protect these ...

the law of prohibition of unfair competition prohibits any deed or action which is against the normal competition in the market. before emergence of special laws for protection of intellectual property rights, including trademarks, such right could be protected either by tort law claims or law of unfair competition. however, the law of prohibition of unfair competition covers a wider area than ...

Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) have become ubiquitous in the current debate and have emerged as the key issue of global innovation policy. The ‘Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights’ (TRIPS), signed on 1994 as a founding element of the World Trade Organization, represent the most important attempt to establish a global harmonization of Intellectual Property protection. The ...

Intellectual property rights are essential in today’s technology-driven age. Building a strategic IP portfolio is economically important from both an offensive and defensive standpoint. Applicable areas in Nanotechnology to which intellectual property rights can apply are presented. Some challenging issues surrounding the acquisition of IP rights in Nanotechnology are also presented. The Import...

We study the determinants of patent suits and their outcomes over the period 1978-1999 by linking detailed information from the U.S. patent office, the federal court system, and industry sources. The probability of being involved in a suit is very heterogeneous, being much higher for valuable patents and for patents owned by individuals and smaller firms. Thus the patent system generates incent...