There is a fast-growing need in many countries, in particular in the developing world, to come to a greater understanding of the links between intellectual property, trade rules and economic and social development and to find new ways of implementing intellectual property rules and optimizing their effects. This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the latest legal, economic, political and social research and advanced current thinking on the relationship between intellectual property and trade and development.

The first part of the book will cover the theoretical basis of the connections between intellectual property, trade and development. It will then go on to provide the reader with options as to how intellectual property rules can be incorporated in the local legal framework and how the positive impact of intellectual property standards can be maximized while minimizing welfare costs. This will include implementation strategies for TRIPS and TRIPS Plus norms, and also the use of measures outside the traditional scope of intellectual property norms. These measures will range from education to the establishment or enhancement of a solid industrial and research base, to fighting pandemics such as HIV/AIDS. Possible economic strategies and proposals are also offered on the protection of traditional knowledge and indigenous resources.

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Daniel Gervais is Vice-Dean of Research, and Osler Professor of Intellectual Property and Technology Law at the University of Ottawa in Canada. He specialises on the study of intellectual property in the context of trade law, in particular the WTO Agreement on Trade in Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).