Intellectual Property and Economic Development in Sub‐Saharan Africa

Abstract

The World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade‐Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights in article 7 states that the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPRs) “should contribute to the promotion of technological innovation and to the transfer and dissemination of technology, to the mutual advantage of producers and users of technological knowledge and in a manner conducive to social and economic welfare”. This article examines the developmental claims for IPRs in developing countries and least developed countries with a particular focus on sub‐Saharan Africa.

Inventions and patenting in Africa: Empirical trends from 1970 to 2010

“…For the same time period, we also focus on patent filing trends in biological inventions for health and agriculture (e.g., genetic resources, vaccines, microorganisms, seeds, living modified organisms, etc.) which have been particularly controversial in developing countries (Blakeney & Mengistie, ; Boettiger, Graff, Pardey, Van Dusen, & Wright, ; Castle, ; Krattiger et al, ), utilizing detailed data from the International Science and Technology Practice and Policy (InSTePP) Global Genetics Patent Database (InSTePP, ). These patent data are analyzed to determine how extensively patents are being used to protect inventions in sub‐Saharan Africa, by whom, and in which industries.…”

“…Scholars and policymakers are divided on the role of patents in economic development policy (Barton et al, ; Maskus, ; Siebeck, Evenson, Lesser, & Primo Braga, ). The negotiation, adoption, and implementation of common minimum standards under the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement as part of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Treaty provided ample context for this debate over the past three decades (Blakeney & Mengistie, ; Diwan & Rodrik, ), yet it is a debate that has run for far longer (May & Sell, ).…”

Intellectual Property Rights: The Effects on Information Security and Research Innovations in Nigeria

“…Information security within the IPR has never been more important than it is today: not only in how it can protect andencourage research innovations bygranting successful inventors temporary monopoly power over their innovations data or systems, but how it can enhance secure information exchange between trusted partners.Universities and public research institutions through research innovations are the factories of the knowledge, economy growth, and job creation (Blakeney &Mengistie, 2011). This is because Innovation drives economic growth and job creation.…”

“…This is because Innovation drives economic growth and job creation. The International Property Rights Index assumes a significant correlation between the protection of private property rights and a nation's innovations and economic growth (Blakeney & Mengistie, 2011).…”

Gestão de ativos de Propriedade Intelectual: um estudo sobre as práticas da Braskem S.A.

“…Considerando-se o período de 2007-2011, no corpo do texto, abstracts, títulos e key words, o número anterior caiu a 60 e a zero, respectivamente. A análise dos abstracts dos 60 artigos do journal antes referido indicou foco em: sistemas de propriedade intelectual de países ou regiões (Bernieri, 2006;Sterckx & Cockbain, 2010); em pirataria (e.g., El-Bialy & Gouda, 2011); em patentes (e.g., Sterckx & Cockbain, 2010); em denominações de origem (e.g., Yeung & Ker, 2011); em efeitos sobre investimento estrangeiro (e.g., Bernieri, 2006), desenvolvimento de países (e.g., Blakeney & Mengistie, 2011) e inovação (e.g., Gervais, 2009), dentre outros. Artigos com foco em sistemas empresariais de gestão da propriedade intelectual não foram localizados.…”