Strengthening Protection of Intellectual Property in Developing Countries: ASurvey of the Literature

摘要

The report examines whether developing countries would benefit economically fromstrengthening their protection of intellectual property. The authors review a substantial body of economic literature, theoretical and empirical, covering the economics of patents and other instruments of intellectual property. Past research suggests that increases in intellectual property protection generate research and development (R&D) activity sufficient to offset the social cost of the limited monopoly granted to patentees, copyright holders, and other owners of intellectual property. For developing countries, unfortunately, similar research is lacking. The paper proposes a research agenda that includes an assessment of intellectual property protection in developing countries, the incentive effects on local R&D, foreign direct investment and technology licensing, and the potential benefit to developing countries of 'petty patents' and plant breeders' rights.