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Science & Innovation Policy: Intellectual property

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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

China is improving intellectual property rights

China is making good progress on intellectual property rights, says chairman of the UK Intellectual Property Institute, Ian Harvey.

25 November 2008 | EN | ??

Ocean circulation, Earth simulator center Planet before profit for climate change films

Films and television programmes about climate change should be made freely available beyond their initial broadcast, argues Nalaka Gunawardene.

4 November 2008 | EN

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 | ??

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


News and Features

Yvo De Boer Q&A: Clean technologies with Yvo de Boer

Yvo de Boer, the UN climate chief, speaks to SciDev.Net about getting clean technology into the developing world.

1 December 2008 | EN

Laws to protect native knowledge 'are failing'

Laws to ensure native communities retain the rights to local knowledge are in reality a barrier to progress, says a report.

28 November 2008 | EN | ??

Ecuadorian scientists reject new patent rule

1 October 2008 | ES
Source: El Comercio