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[FYI] WIPO betreibt Werbung in eigener Sache



http://www.wipo.int/eng/pressrel/2000/p228.htm

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Press Release PR/2000/228  

Geneva, June 27, 2000  

BOOK HIGHLIGHTS SOCIO-ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 
PROTECTION  

The World Intellectual Property Protection (WIPO) has published a 
book on the policy considerations underpinning the economic value of 
effective protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. 
The book is authored by Mr. Shahid Alikhan, a leading Indian 
intellectual property expert and former Deputy Director General of 
WIPO.  

The book, entitled "Socio-Economic Benefits of Intellectual Property 
Protection in Developing Countries," provides a comprehensive 
overview of issues dealing with the impact that intellectual property 
rights have on various facets of human progress. The work seeks to 
clarify the role of intellectual property in spurring social, 
cultural, technological and economic development and its importance 
to industry, business and the public at large.  

In addition to the socio-economic value of intellectual property 
protection for developing countries, the publication highlights the 
importance of modernizing and strengthening intellectual property 
systems. It emphasizes that a modern intellectual property system is 
an essential component in establishing an enabling environment for 
knowledge-based and technology-based economic development.  

"In the 21st century, the economic growth of developing countries, as 
indeed also of the developed ones, will depend on the international 
competitiveness of their economy, industry, and business. Such 
international competitiveness, in turn, will be driven by knowledge-
based technological progress, which can be achieved only through a 
well functioning national system of innovation that has as its core, 
a strong, modern and well enforced intellectual property system," 
says Mr. Alikhan, who has written extensively on intellectual 
property matters.  

The book recommends that governments of developing countries set up 
oversight or inter-ministerial bodies to draw up national 
intellectual property policies, and to review national and 
international developments in this economically important area. 
Governments are urged to launch widespread public awareness campaigns 
to forge a better general understanding of the benefits of the 
intellectual property system both for national economies and for 
social and cultural enrichment. The publication also encourages the 
specialized agencies of the United Nations system to reinforce their 
technical assistance programs to help developing economies in the 
area of capacity-building.  

The author argues that if technology-based economic development is to 
be meaningful, its rewards, through for example, job creation, must 
be enjoyed by the general public. Strong intellectual property 
schemes, the author notes, will facilitate technology transfer to 
developing countries. Mr. Alikhan also suggests that industry and 
business should encourage innovation and invention by creating 
incentives. Industry should also invest in establishing interactive 
links with research and development institutions.  

"To sum up, developing countries should, in the process of and quest 
for socio-economic development, use the intellectual property system 
as a number of other countries have done, and are doing, in order to 
sustain and constantly endeavor for technology-based growth. Clearly 
the way ahead depends on international competitiveness based on 
quality production for the national and export markets. A competitive 
industrial and business sector is critically dependent on a well-
functioning, strong and cost-effective intellectual property system 
at the national level," the book states.  

Other issues addressed include the protection of folklore, 
traditional knowledge, biodiversity and biotechnology. Questions 
relating to electronic commerce are also covered. On enforcement, the 
book encourages developing country governments to be proactive in 
ensuring effective protection for intellectual property rights which 
are essential for electronic commerce to flourish.  

For further information, please contact the Media Relations and 
Public Affairs Section at WIPO:  

Tel: (+41 22) 338 81 61 or 338 95 47 Fax: (+41 22) 338 88 10 E-mail: 
publicinf@wipo.int  

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