As technological developments multiply around the globe—even as the patenting of human genes comes under serious discussion—nations, companies, and researchers find themselves in conflict over intellectual property rights (IPRs). Now, an international group of experts presents the first multidisciplinary look at IPRs in an age of explosive growth in science and technology. This thought-provoking volume offers an update on current international IPR negotiations and includes case studies on software, computer chips, optoelectronics, and biotechnology—areas characterized by high development cost and easy reproducibility. The volume covers these and other issues: Modern economic theory as a basis for approaching international IPRs. U.S. intellectual property practices versus those in Japan, India, the European Community, and the developing and newly industrializing countries. Trends in science and technology and how they affect IPRs. Pros and cons of a uniform international IPRs regime versus a system reflecting national differences. Table of Contents Front Matter I Introduction 1 The Global Dimensions of Intellectual Property Rights in Science and Technology 2 Intellectual Property Institutions and the Panda's Thumb: Patents, Copyrights, and Trade Secrets in Economic Theory and History II The Case For and Against a Uniform Worldwide Intellectual Property Rights System Introduction 3 Why a Uniform Intellectual Property System Makes Sense or the World 4 Harmonization Versus Differentiation in Intellectual Property Right Regimes 5 Unauthorized Use of Intellectual Property: Effects on Investment, Technology Transfer, and Innovation Discussion III National and International Approaches to Intellectual Property Rights Introduction 6 Comparative National Approaches to Intellectual Property Rights 7 Update on international Negotiations on Intellectual Property Rights Discussion IV Scientific and Technological Advance and Its Impact on the Role of Intellectual Property Rights Introduction 8 Trends in Global Science and Technology and What They Mean for Intellectual Property Systems 9 Sectoral Views 10 Intellectual Property Rights and Competitive Strategy Discussion V Adapting Intellectual Property Rights to New Technologies Introduction 11 Adapting the Intellectual Property System to New Technologies 12 A Case Study on Computer Programs 13 Biotechnology Case Study 14 Semiconductor Chip Protection as a Case Study 15 Optoelectronics Discussion VI Global Intellectual Property Rights Issues in Perspective Introduction 16 Global Intellectual Property Rights Issues in Perspective: A Concluding Panel Discussion Disccusion Coda: Issues for Future Research VII Appendix A: Conference Agenda B: Biographies of Contributors Index

Table of Contents:
1 Front Matter; 2 I Introduction; 3 1 The Global Dimensions of Intellectual Property Rights in Science and Technology; 4 2 Intellectual Property Institutions and the Panda's Thumb: Patents, Copyrights, and Trade Secrets in Economic Theory and History; 5 II The Case For and Against a Uniform Worldwide Intellectual Property Rights System; 6 Introduction; 7 3 Why a Uniform Intellectual Property System Makes Sense or the World; 8 4 Harmonization Versus Differentiation in Intellectual Property Right Regimes; 9 5 Unauthorized Use of Intellectual Property: Effects on Investment, Technology Transfer, and Innovation; 10 Discussion; 11 III National and International Approaches to Intellectual Property Rights; 12 Introduction; 13 6 Comparative National Approaches to Intellectual Property Rights; 14 7 Update on international Negotiations on Intellectual Property Rights; 15 Discussion; 16 IV Scientific and Technological Advance and Its Impact on the Role of Intellectual Property Rights; 17 Introduction; 18 8 Trends in Global Science and Technology and What They Mean for Intellectual Property Systems; 19 9 Sectoral Views; 20 10 Intellectual Property Rights and Competitive Strategy; 21 Discussion; 22 V Adapting Intellectual Property Rights to New Technologies; 23 Introduction; 24 11 Adapting the Intellectual Property System to New Technologies; 25 12 A Case Study on Computer Programs; 26 13 Biotechnology Case Study; 27 14 Semiconductor Chip Protection as a Case Study; 28 15 Optoelectronics; 29 Discussion; 30 VI Global Intellectual Property Rights Issues in Perspective; 31 Introduction; 32 16 Global Intellectual Property Rights Issues in Perspective: A Concluding Panel Discussion; 33 Disccusion; 34 Coda: Issues for Future Research; 35 VII Appendix; 36 A: Conference Agenda; 37 B: Biographies of Contributors; 38 Index