Preface

Over the past few years, intellectual property rights (IPRs) have become a major economic, trade and investment issue, as illustrated by considerable increases in royalty payments and licensing fees in most areas of the world and the inclusion of intellectual property (IP) provisions in regional and bilateral trade and investment agreements. At the same time, concerns have been raised in many countries as to whether the IP system still serves its original purpose, i.e. the promotion of innovation and the transfer and dissemination of technology to the benefit of society, or whether exclusive rights are increasingly being used to defend selective private interests and prevent effective competition.

Related Subject(s): International Law and Justice