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Science & Innovation Policy: Intellectual property

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Intellectual property rights form a cornerstone of the global knowledge economy. But as the economic importance of these rights has grown, so too has controversy over their impacts on developing countries.

(Photo credit: USAID/R.Buckley)

Opinions and Analysis

Universities should invest in neglected tropical diseases

Sandeep P. Kishore and colleagues call on universities to focus on research for neglected tropical diseases.

4 March 2010 | EN
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases

BioMed Analysis: Keep traditional knowledge open but safe

Databases of traditional medicines can help protect against biopiracy while opening the doors for new drug discovery, says Priya Shetty.

24 February 2010 | EN | 中文

Glaxo sets example to other drug companies

2 February 2010 | EN
Source: Nature

Intellectual property vital for agricultural innovation

5 October 2009 | EN
Source: Intellectual Property Watch

Policy Briefs

Bioprospecting: legitimate research or 'biopiracy'?

A growing number of critics of 'bioprospecting' complain that companies often fail to adequately compensate holders of traditional knowledge, and that patents on products developed in this way are actually a form of intellectual piracy.

26 May 2003 | EN | 中文

What impact do IPR rules have on food security?

An important issue raised by current debates on intellectual property rights — particularly in the context of their impact on developing countries — are the consequences that legislation protecting such rights may have for food security.

1 October 2001 | EN


News and Features

A field of cotton China's agricultural patents on the rise

China has boosted its agricultural patents in the last decade but this success does not extend to international applications.

2 March 2010 | EN | 中文

Economic crisis 'lowered global number of patents in 2009'

Brazil filed the most international patents in Latin America in 2009, while the global total fell by 4.5 per cent compared with 2008, says a report.

27 February 2010 | ES