Introduction

The recent history seems to show that technology and knowledge are important factors for economic growth and development. Since the creation of the first mechanism to protect inventions in 15 ^th century, the patent system has evolved with a view to promote innovation and encouraging economic development. By offering exclusive rights for a limited period, an inventor may recover R&D costs and investments. It also promotes investment to commercialize and market new inventions so that the general public can enjoy the fruit of the innovation. Further, the system is designed to disseminate knowledge and information to the public through publication of patent applications and granted patents.

Many countries, in particular least developed countries, have only begun to address the challenges of setting up an appropriate patent system in place to reap economic and social benefits. The development of these countries' resources and infrastructure and their capacity to benefit from the rapid growth of intellectual property as a valuable economic asset in the world economy remain an urgent concern.

In view of the disparity in economic wealth between nations, does the patent system hamper development rather than promote it? How can both nations and individuals utilize the patent system and develop national intellectual property assets? In a recent past, a number of questions have been raised in respect of the potential effects of different degrees and forms of patent protection on various economic and social measures. Considering the differences among countries, there might be a need to question the assumption of applying the same patent standard to all. A national strategy may need to be effectively set up on the basis of a country's unique requirements and priorities. Addressing questions as to how the patent system can play an important role in fostering development and eradicating poverty will certainly contribute to a better understanding of the role of the patent system in the broader range of national development policy measures and to formulate a patent policy that meets the interests of each country.

 

Studies and Articles

Links on these pages, including those to studies commissioned for WIPO, do not imply the agreement of WIPO, its Member States or the International Bureau with the views expressed.

 

Related Sites

The inclusion of a link to a site does not imply the agreement of WIPO, its Member States or the International Bureau with any of the views expressed on the site.

World Intellectual Property Organization

• Report on the International Patent System
• Intellectual Property for Development
• Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP)
• International Seminar on Intellectual Property and Development, May 2005
• Open Forum on the Draft Substantive Patent Law Treaty, March 1 to 3, 2006
• Bibliographies of academic papers on the WIPO Worldwide Academy web site
• Impact of the Intellectual Property System on Economic Growth - Fact-finding surveys and Analysis in the Asian Region, September 2007

 

Other Intergovernmental Organizations

• International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
  • World Summit on the Information Society
• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
• South Centre
• United Nations
  • UN Millennium Development Goals
  • World Summit on Sustainable Development
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
  • UNCTAD-ICTSD Capacity Building Project on IPRs
    • Intellectual Property and Sustainable Development: Revisiting The Agenda in a New Context, The Bellagio Series on Development and Intellectual Property Policy, October 24-29, 2005
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
  • UNIDO Conference on International Public Goods for Economic Development, September 7-8, 2005
• World Bank
• World Trade Organization (WTO)
  • Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
  • Doha Development Agenda

 

Non-Governmental Organizations

• International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD)
• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
• International Policy Network (IPN)
• International Trade Law and Development Institute (IDCID)
• Light Years IP
• Oxfam International
• Public Interest Intellectual Property Advisors (PIIPA)
• Trans Atlantic Consumer Dialog (TACD)