Posted on Tuesday April 3, 2012
According to the WIPO, the 2005-2009 growth rate of worldwide patent registrations is 6.9%, but in 2008, low-income economies made up just .2% of total worldwide patent applications. For more information, please refer to http://www.wipo.int/ipstats/en/.
There seems to be a correlation between the GDP/capita and the number of patents. Rich countries have the highest number of patents, whereas the poorest countries have the fewest patents. The wealth of the developed world’s intellectual property is freely available for use in the emerging markets, where patents are not filed.
However, the Chinese government now stimulates Chinese companies to apply for patents in China, the EU and US.
Posted by Christine op Tuesday 10 April 2012
Yes, and it seems as if certain emerging countries are more likely to step up their intellectual property regulations only when the costs of not doing so outweighs the benefits of ignoring international IP standards. In China's case, for example, as more and more foreign direct investment flocked to China, China was increasingly becoming the target of many international trade lawsuits (and often losing). So, it seemed that only when the legal costs outweighed the benefits of piracy and counterfeiting to Chinese businesses did China decide to start amping up IP regulations.
Posted by Camille op Wednesday 11 April 2012
I think it's difficult for emerging countries. Sure there are firms that are extending their businesses, but at the same time there isn't a lot of capital in these countries. It might also be caused by less education and information on this topic.
Posted by Amanda op Friday 4 May 2012
