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.
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.
Both Sides of the Free Culture Debate
An NPR intern revels in the fact she has illegally downloaded thousands of songs for free; a musician explains the real costs of her "free" music.
How to Eliminate Counterfeit Prescription Drugs in the US
Counterfeits are here and will only grow unless Congress and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) devise a better way to monitor prescription drugs from inception to ingestion. Fortunately, the latest version of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, referred to as PDUFA V, has passed Congress and includes a “placeholder,” which allows Congress to figure out the best way to track prescription drugs as they move through the supply chain to the patient.
We Can Eliminate Counterfeit Drugs in the U.S. Supply Chain
Counterfeit drugs are here and will only grow unless Congress and the FDA devise a better way to monitor prescription drugs from inception to ingestion.
The Seeds of a Successful Trade Policy
It's time to focus on one of the U.S.'s trade success stories: agriculture, and specifically genetically modified (GM) seeds.
Who Says Piracy Costs $58 Billion Per Year?
White House IP czar Victoria Espinel cites a 2007 IPI study stating that intellectual property theft costs the U.S. about $58 billion per year. The Hollywood Reporter's Stephen Galloway says the figure comes from a source that would astonish Hollywood liberals.
PDUFA Nation: Let's Expand a Good Policy
There are precious few federal agencies that are able to respond to issues and challenges as fast as they should. Fortunately, there’s one that is.
2012 World Intellectual Property Day Forum Recap
Total Records: 209
