Intellectual Property And Sustainable Development

Discussing how intellectual property (IP) rights play a role in tackling the challenge of securing sustainable development, renowned scholars consider how the core objective of IP rights to promote innovation and development of new knowledge aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This timely and thought-provoking book provides an in-depth analysis of the multi-faceted interface between this core objective and the SDGs and argues for sustainable markets as an overreaching and contextual approach to the role of IP rights in tackling the challenges of the UN SDGs.

ÔThis is a thought-provoking book with relevance to a broad readership, especially IP practitioners with a strong international focus.Õ Ð Australian Intellectual Property Law Bulletin Intellectual property (IP) has gained an unprecedented importance in the new world of globalization and the knowledge economy. However, experience, as well as cyclical attitudes toward IP, show that there is no universal model of IP protection. This comprehensive book considers new and emerging IP issues from a development perspective, examining recent trends and developments in this area. Presenting an overview of the IP landscape in general, the contributing authors subsequently narrow their focus, providing wide-ranging case studies from countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America on topical issues in the current IP discourse. These include the impact of IP on the pharmaceutical sector, the protection of life forms and traditional knowledge, geographical indications, access to knowledge and public research institutes, and the role of competition policy. The challenges developing countries face in the TRIPS-Plus world are also explored in detail. The diverse range of contributions to this thought-provoking book offer a wide variety of alternative perspectives on and solutions for the controversial issues surrounding the role of IP within sustainable development. As such, it will prove a stimulating read for government policy-makers, trade negotiators, academics, lawyers and IP practitioners in general, UN and other intergovernmental agencies, development campaigners and aid agencies, environmentalist groups and university students.

Intellectual property rights are a major source of controversy. Corporations are now patenting human genes, plants and other biological materials, many of which exist in nature or have been used for generations by farmers and indigenous peoples. Martin Khor examines the biopiracy phenomenon, its links to the TRIPS Agreement, and its various effects.

Sustainable development, in its many manifestations, is of high and growing importance across the globe. Increasingly, governments are setting targets for sustainability improvements ranging from societal inclusiveness to carbon emission reductions; corporations are marketing their products and services by highlighting their ‘eco’ credentials; and consumers are basing buying decisions on sustainable criteria. As a United Nations (UN) agency, WIPO has an important role to play in the achievement of the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs). While the relationship between SDGs and WIPO’s activities may not be as clear-cut and obvious as, for example, those of the World Health Organization, which has clear responsibility for SDG 3 relating to good health and well-being, there are compelling reasons to believe that intellectual property (IP) systems can and should contribute to SDGs, and in doing so, can be more responsive to WIPO customer and societal needs. This study has been commissioned by WIPO Japan Office, in collaboration with WIPO’s Special Representative on the UN SDGs to identify examples of good practice among IP offices in supporting the achievement of SDGs. Using a combination of primary and secondary research (survey data and published materials), a cross-section of offices has been examined.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide an ambitious roadmap for human progress. This brochure explains how WIPO’s work supports the SDGs by enabling innovation for the economic, social and cultural development of all countries.

Exploring the potential for alignment as well as conflict between IP and climate change Intellectual Property, Climate Change and Technology encourages a coherent and integrated approach to decision making across the IP, climate change and technology landscape. This groundbreaking book identifies and challenges the lack of intersection between intellectual property law and climate change law at national level. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 10.0px Arial}

Across the world, developing countries are attempting to balance the international standards of intellectual property concerning pharmaceutical patents against the urgent need for accessible and affordable medicines. In this timely and necessary book, Monirul Azam examines the attempts of several developing countries to walk this fine line. He evaluates the experiences of Brazil, China, India, and South Africa for lessons to guide Bangladesh and developing nations everywhere. Azam's legal expertise, concern for public welfare, and compelling grasp of principal case studies make Intellectual Property and Public Health in the Developing World a definitive work. The developing world is striving to meet the requirements of the World Trade Organization's TRIPS Agreement on intellectual property. This book sets out with lucidity and insight the background of the TRIPS Agreement and its implications for pharmaceutical patents, the consequences for developing countries, and the efforts of certain representative nations to comply with international stipulations while still maintaining local industry and public health. Azam then brings the weight of this research to bear on the particular case of Bangladesh, offering a number of specific policy recommendations for the Bangladeshi government—and for governments the world over. Intellectual Property and Public Health in the Developing World is a must-read for public policy-makers, academics and students, non-governmental organizations, and readers everywhere who are interested in making sure that developing nations meet the health care needs of their people.