In: Economics
Your textbook and some of our class discussions have talked about intellectual property protection as a crucial factor for international business. a) What is the intellectual basis for intellectual property protection? b) Why are there differences between countries in terms of lengths of patents, types of patents, length of copyright, the ability to enforce use of a patent and the strength of enforcement of patent laws? c) What are the consequences for a multinational company? d) Finally, from an ethical standpoint, how do these increasingly strict enforcement of IP laws in third-world countries affect sensitive human rights such as that to health (pharmacy), biopiracy and genetically modified seeds?
a. Every human is different and has different ways to look at the problems and to solve them. Intellectual property if not rewarded properly will not lead to more innovations in modern world.Hence to promote efforts in innovation. it is needed.
b. Different countries look at own benefits and hence make ar amend patent laws in such a way that people will be benefited more without additional costs. There are less countries which have proper research and development facilities and human capital and others are beneficiaries.
c. Multinational company takes capital and enterprise to different countries. It leads to more innovation and also makes standard of living better. It is true that these companies have profit as a motive but they certainly help in provision of better service at competitive rates. Patents helps them do this. However, monopolies are also set by them which distorts market many times.
d.Third world countries twist the laws looking at greater benefit to their industries and human rights. in my opinion, it is ethical to change laws as per requirement without killing incentive to innovate because not all countries are ye par with one another in terms of competency. Human rights will not be followed as laws may make it very expensive to produce and sell in these countries and all will lose as less demand will give less revenue and also affordability will make people go without medicines.