Economic growth begins with ideas, innovation and creativity. Since the signing of the Constitution, the U.S. has protected the fruits of creativity and innovation through intellectual property protection, primarily expressed as patents, trademarks, copyright and trade secrets.
As our economy has become even more dependent on innovation, intellectual property issues have been pushed to the forefront. The clashes have led some to question the value and even the legitimacy of IP protection. While some of these attacks come from the libertarian perspective, most originate from the same naïve socialist impulses that so demonstrably failed in the realm of real property—but somehow are seen as thoughtful with respect to IP.
IPI believes that creators have the right to own and control the fruits of their creativity, and that the IP system has done an admirable job of not only incentivizing innovation, but also making creative products and services available to the public and transferring technology to the developing world.
Can Technology Companies Be a Model for Working Out Important Differences?
If the country needs a model for how different sides can work out their differences, it might look to a recent agreement forged in the biotech seed industry.
In the Land of Good Intentions
Reducing deaths due to smoking is obviously a Good Intention, and there are many ways to do so without destroying the value of trademarks. But when policy makers travel to the Land of Good Intentions, precedents get set that threaten the rights of all.
Delray man pirated music for profit, deputies say
Gregory King told authorities he made a living selling pirated music for seven years. According to an IPI study, music piracy worldwide causes more than $12.5 billion dollars in losses to the U.S. economy, more than 70,000 lost jobs and $2 billion in lost wages among American workers.
Comments Regarding New Zealand Plain Packaging Regulation
IPI reminds New Zealand that its proposed plain packaging regulation for tobacco products violates existing WTO rules and the Paris Convention, reflects an incomplete understanding of the value and importance of trademarks, sets a harmful precedent which could be extended to other types of products, and will inevitably lead to an increase in counterfeit products.
NZ Plain Packaging Regulation Violates WTO Rules
The New Zealand government should reject a plain packaging regulatory proposal for tobacco products as it would violate WTO rules as well as intellectual property agreements, and also expose consumers to harmful counterfeit products, said IPI in comments filed today.
Delray man to face the music over sale of pirated CDs
Gregory King told authorities he made a living selling pirated music for seven years -- but deputies say his reign ended Saturday at the center of a
Will Californians Embrace Science or Succumb to Fear Mongering Over Genetically Modified Foods?
When Californians will vote on Proposition 37, will they embrace science of the warnings of competitors?
A Step In the Right Direction on Piracy
Google has announced algorithm changes that will penalize websites that host pirated materials by lowering them in the search results.
Cutting Edge?
The fundamental question on the issue of design is whether Samsung, in producing its product, illegally “copied” the design of the iPhone, or in other words, did Samsung copy the iPhone’s ornamentation rather than its function. The fundamental problem is taking elements of innovation that really do not belong in patent and trying to patent them. Not everything can or should be patentable.
Benefits of IP Protection for Developing Countries
Presentation delivered to Trans-Pacific Partnership Stakeholder Event in San Diego, California on July 2, 2012.
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