Intellectual Property, Trade and Development: Strategies to Optimize Economic Development in a TRIPS Plus Era

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the latest legal, economic, political and social research and advanced current thinking on the relationship between intellectual property and trade and development.

It starts with coverage of the theoretical basis of the connections between intellectual property, trade and development. It presents options as to how intellectual property rules can be incorporated in the local legal framework and how the positive impact of intellectual property standards can be maximized while minimizing welfare costs. It includes implementation strategies for TRIPS and TRIPS Plus norms, and also the use of measures outside the traditional scope of intellectual property norms. These measures range from education to the establishment or enhancement of a solid industrial and research base, to fighting pandemics such as HIV/AIDS. Possible economic strategies and proposals are also offered on the protection of traditional knowledge and indigenous resources.