Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law 

About: Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law is an academic journal. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): International law & Human rights. It has an ISSN identifier of 0008-7254. Over the lifetime, 702 publications have been published receiving 4184 citations.

Intellectual Property Rights and Economic Development

Abstract: This paper provides an analytical overview of how economic development may be promoted or hindered by an effective system of intellectual property rights (IPRS). IPRS can play a positive role in encouraging new business development, rationalization of inefficient CASE W. RES. J. INT'L L. industry, and inducing technology acquisition and creation. They may harm development prospects by raising the costs of imitation and permitting monopolistic behavior by owners of IPRS. The potential gains and losses depend on the competitive structure of markets and the efficiency of related business regulation, including aspects of competition policy and technology development policy. The paper reviews available empirical evidence on these issues. The evidence supports the view that product innovation is sensitive to IPRS in developing countries, while FDI and technology transfer go up when patent rights are strengthened. Overall, there is a positive impact on growth, but this impact depends on the competitive nature of the economy. The paper concludes by putting forward suggestions for integrated policy reforms.