Title: Harmonization versus differentiation in international property rights regimes

Authors: Claudio R. Frischtak

Addresses: Consultant to The World Bank, Rua Visconde de Piraja 596, Sala 24, Ipanema 22.410, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract: This paper argues that intellectual property rights in any country are protected according to the perceived national interest of that country. It discusses the relative merits of a differentiated system of intellectual property rights, vis a vis a homogeneous regime, depending on the stage of industrial development within a country. Illustrative examples of the level and range of protection given by different regimes are given and models of intellectual property rights regimes, giving optimum protection, are discussed.

Keywords: intellectual property rights; differentiated regimes; patent protection; IPR; exclusionary rules; compulsory licences; working requirements; trade secrets; enforcement; open economies; optimum protection; global welfare; harmonisation; differentiation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1995.025622

International Journal of Technology Management, 1995 Vol.10 No.2/3, pp.200 - 213

Published online: 23 May 2009 *

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