Global Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual property rights such as patents can reduce access to knowledge in genetics, health, agriculture, education and information technology, particularly for people in developing countries. “Global Intellectual Property Rights” shows how the new global rules of intellectual property have been the product of the strategic behaviour of multinationals, rather than democratic dialogue. The final section of the book suggests strategies aimed at developing more flexible standard for poor countries, and for keeping knowledge in the intellectual commons.

Author Biography

PETER DRAHOS is Professor in the Research School of Social Sciences at the Australian National University. Canberra. His publications include A Philosophy of Intellectual Property and with John Braithwaite, Global Business Regulation. – RUTH MAYNE works at OXFAM, GB as a Policy Advisor on trade, investment and economic issues. She has published a number of articles and co-edited and book entitled Regulating International Business.