The impact of the Intellectual Property Rights Act for publicly funded research and development on technology transfer offices was studied, using a questionnaire survey and guided interviews of six technology transfer officers. The survey requested technology transfer officers to express the impact level of each of the eleven impact elements on the four stages of intellectual property development – these being intellectual property creation, disclosure, protection and commercialisation. The set of data was weighted for each element, by intellectual property development stage, and analysed using frequency tables. The impact elements of „structural and resource requirements to commercialise and manage intellectual property‟, „intellectual property detection process by the technology transfer officers‟, and‟ disclosure process‟ were ranked as the top three impact elements, in that respective order. Narrative inquiry and theme extraction allowed further elaboration of the impact elements. Comparison with Staphorst‟s (2010) results showed that the impact elements were different for science councils, pointing to unique requirements by universities in their intellectual property management systems. The results of this analysis clearly indicate that the Intellectual Property Rights Act enforcement and execution will demand a high degree of structural and resource requirements, particularly, and most importantly, at the intellectual property disclosure stage of intellectual property development. Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

The abundance of wealth and technology in the North, and biological diversity and poverty in the South provokes an inquiry into an appropriate modality for the equitable harnessing and allocation of biodiversity dividends. Over the years, the traditional knowledge relating to biological diversity has been regarded as part of the "global intellectual commons", open to exploitation by all, and subject to validation by formal methods. That knowledge has remained the source of both increasing knowledge and critical discoveries of the therapeutic values of most components of biological diversity. There is a consensus between the North and the South that an effective biodiversity conservation strategy should be one capable of providing incentives to the traditional custodians of wild habitat. Intellectual property is generally recognised as an appropriate framework to implement this objective. However, as a perennial subject of North-South disagreement, there is no consensus on the relevant details or mechanisms for deploying intellectual property rights to effectuate the objective. The United Nations Framework Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) signifies a global regime embodying the ideals of incentivising the traditional custodians of the wild habitat as well as equitable sharing of the benefits of biodiversity. Arguably, it marks an end to the idea of regarding traditional knowledge as part of the global intellectual commons. This thesis contends that the CBD regime carries with it the burden of unresolved North-South perspectives on intellectual property rights. It argues that the heart of the conflict is the reluctance of the North to accord intellectual property status to traditional knowledge. This is partly because of the latter's informal nature but most importantly it derives from an inherent geo-political ideological conflict on the subject of intellectual property rights. Presently, the recognition of rights over traditional knowledge is approached on a sui generis basis. This thesis takes the position that the approach with its several limitations is not persuasive. It contends that on the merits, traditional knowledge is, and ought to be recognised as a subject matter of intellectual property rights. The recent elevation of intellectual property (a traditional subject matter of national law) to the international level under the WTO/TRIPs Agreement further undermines traditional knowledge. This has posed a setback not only to the global biodiversity conservation initiative, but also to the quest for equitable allocation of its dividends. It is my thesis that a national approach offers a better option for accommodating the intellectual property status of traditional knowledge and consequentially for advancing the quest for biodiversity conservation as well as equitable allocation of the dividends arising therefrom. / Law, Peter A. Allard School of / Graduate

The aim of this Master's Thesis is to explore, analyze and discuss of the role and position of the innovation policies' ecosystems, the role of incentives in general and particularly within the sphere of intellectual property rights (IPR). The paper consists of two key parts. Firstly, it discuss the role of innovation, justification of incentives and purpose of the IPR protection as the means of addressing market failures, which hinder the innovation process, especially for the small and medium enterprises. Secondly, analysis was conducted within the series of case studies, including Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, United States, China and India. The divergence of the list of countries should provide representative list of measures and incentives employed and utilized in various systems of Innovation governance. Overall findings are compared with the system in the Czech Republic in order to provide prospects for the potential adjustments.

Internet piracy has recently been addressed by several policies introduced in US, such as SOPA and ACTA. These policies suggest the general opinion to be that piracy reduce profits. The focus of this thesis is therefore put on the introduction of theoretical concept capable of describing possible piracy impacts and then showing empirical observations to prove it. We developed our own modified time-dependent model of demand function with network effect, which suggests that piracy can have indeed different results on producers' profits depending on the conditions. Further, we showed on real data that the resulting piracy effect in film industry is indefinite and piracy in other industries results in various outcomes.

In the wake of diversifying economy through science and technology, the government of Botswana is particularly inclined to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS). IPR in its nature of advocating exclusive rights by the creator comes into direct conflict with the practice and understanding of IKS as community property, and a shared resource. To date, there is very little research work that explores policymakers’ knowledge about IPR and IKS in developing countries. Botswana, a developing country is yet to benefit from this type of research. This research investigated policymakers’ knowledge and practices of IPR on IKS in Botswana. The focus was on policymakers’ knowledge and practices, interaction with policy, and how their actions could be understood and explained. The study was conducted in four government departments, and one non-governmental organisation. Semi-structured interviews and document analysis were used to collect data. The findings of the study show that there is general lack of understanding about IPR in the public domain. Policymakers nonetheless know quite substantially about IPR and very little about IKS. This position puts indigenous knowledge on the periphery, and on the brink of being swallowed by other technologies. Moreover, the study uncovered evidence that the IPR and IKS activities are fragmented and policymakers treat each other with a great deal of suspicion and misunderstanding, hence affecting successful implementation of policy and projects particularly between two units in the study- the ministry of Communication, Science and Technology and the ministry of Trade and Industry. The study concludes by arguing that policymakers still require a great deal of assistance to really make sense of their practice. A lot of teaching and learning about policy is necessary to encourage broader participation in science policymaking in the context of a developing country like Botswana. / Dissertation (MEd (Science and Technology Education))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Curriculum Studies / unrestricted

In this thesis, three perspectives on the justification of intellectual property rights are investigated in the light of conflicting socioeconomic human rights. This is done by using a comparative method, where the perspectives chosen are reviewed through the lense of rights as legitimate claims, as well as accessibility of rights. The purpose is to review as to how the ownership of ideas and inventions can be justified in relation to the socioeconomic challenges faced in many parts of the world. The principal research question is: How can intellectual property rights be justified and how can it be evaluated against the backdrop of socioeconomic rights and moral obligations? To answer this question, I posed three sub-questions: First, how are intellectual property rights justified in the existing research chosen as an entry point for this thesis? Drawn from this, how can the justification of intellectual property rights be understood as a moral concern in a socioeconomically unequal world? Taking a cue from this, what questions need to be answered to better understand the transnational moral obligations linked to intellectual property rights? By reviewing the perspectives presented on the justification of intellectual property rights, I make three concluding statements ​— intellectual property rights cannot be justified in cases where they affect other individuals’ socioeconomic rights negatively; excessive benefits gained for creators is not morally reasonable; and the unequal distribution of power and opportunities in relation to transnational moral responsibilities need to be recognised.

Les négociations de l’Uruguay Round ont été l’occasion d’introduire la propriété intellectuelle dans le cadre du GATT avec la conclusion de l’Accord sur les aspects des droits de propriété intellectuelle qui touchent au commerce (ADPIC) et l’application du système renforcé de règlement des différends de l’OMC aux différends découlant de ce nouvel accord. La présente thèse vise à analyser comment ce système administré par l’ORD organise, traite et règle les différends relatifs au respect des obligations découlant de l’Accord sur les ADPIC. La question est d’une grande importance en raison des singularités de l’Accord sur les ADPIC. Les études menées tout au long de cette thèse ont permis de faire état des règles et procédures encadrant le règlement des différends ADPIC ; de révéler certaines spécificités, en ce qui concerne le type de plaintes pouvant être portées devant l’ORD, et certaines difficultés spécifiques soulevées par l’application de son système de rétorsion à l’Accord sur les ADPIC ; de mettre en avant le rôle central que joue l’ORD, lequel s’est révélé crédible et efficace, non seulement en traitant les différends ADPIC par le truchement des Groupes spéciaux et l’Organe d’appel, mais encore en contribuant à en régler un nombre appréciable au stade des consultations ; et enfin de souligner la manière prudente dont ont fait preuve les Groupes spéciaux et l’Organe d’appel dans leur mission. / The Uruguay Round negotiations gave an opportunity to include intellectual property within the GATT framework, with the conclusion of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and the application of the reinforced system of the WTO dispute settlement to disputes deriving from this new agreement. The present thesis aims at analyzing how this system, managed by the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) organizes, drafts and rules disputes related to the respect of the obligations born of the TRIPS Agreement. The question is of great importance because of the TRIPS Agreement singularities. The studies undertaken throughout this thesis help report on the rules and procedures framing the TRIPS disputes settlement ; reveal some specificities, with regard to the type of complaints which can be brought before the DSB, and some specific difficulties generated by the application of the DSB retaliation system to the TRIPS Agreement ; highlight the central role that plays the DSB, which appeared trustworthy and effective, not only in dealing with TRIPS disputes through the establishment of panels and the Appellate Body, but also in contributing to the settlement of a significant number of disputes at the consultation stage ; and finally underline how the panels and the Appellate Body precautiously lead their own mission.

El profesor Henry Chesbrough, da origen a “Open Innovation” (OI por sus siglas en inglés) a principios del presente milenio. Él afirma que “La innovación abierta es un paradigma que parte de la suposición de que las empresas pueden y deben utilizar ideas externas, así como vías internas y externas de acceso al mercado, con el fin de desarrollar su negocio” (Chesbrough, 2011, p. 126). La base de OI y los derechos de propiedad intelectual(DPI) en distintas áreas juegan un rol fundamental. Bican, Guderian & Ringbeck (2017), afirman que existe un efecto desactivador de la innovación. Sobre todo, en paises en vías de desarrollo. Debido a que existe una brecha para impulsar I+D+i desde el estado como promotor junto a las universidades. Además, “Las empresas deben organizar sus procesos de innovación para estar más abiertas a ideas y conocimientos externos” (Chesbrough, 2011). En Perú, y otros países de Latinoamérica, falta desarrollar políticas orientadas al desarrollo de innovación abierta. Según CEPAL (2018), el principal motivo de desconexión entre los ciudadanos y el estado, es la incapacidad de las instituciones públicas para satisfacer las demandas crecientes y cambiantes de la sociedad. Además, existen otros desafíos socioeconómicos y la necesidad de repensar las instituciones para darles mejor respuesta a las demandas de la sociedad. En el presente trabajo, estudiaremos los posibles factores de éxito de gestión de OI y DPI, la influencia de las TICs y la generacion de un ecosistema Hyper-colaborativo, para crear valor y promover un mayor bienestar en la población. / Professor Henry Chesbrough gives rise to "Open Innovation" (OI) at the beginning of this millennium. He states that "Open innovation is a paradigm that starts from the assumption that companies can and should use external ideas, as well as internal and external ways of accessing the market, in order to develop their business" (Chesbrough, 2011, p. 126). The basis of OI and intellectual property rights (IPR) in different areas play a fundamental role. Bican, Guderian&Ringbeck (2017), state that there is a deactivating effect of innovation. Above all, in developing countries. Because there is a gap to promote R & D & I from the state as a promoter with universities. In addition, "Companies must organize their innovation processes to be more open to external ideas and knowledge" (Chesbrough, 2011). In Peru, and other Latin American countries, there is a need to develop policies aimed at developing open innovation. According to ECLAC (2018), the main reason for disconnection between citizens and the state is the inability of public institutions to meet the growing and changing demands of society. In addition, there are other socio-economic challenges and the need to rethink institutions to better respond to society's demands. In this paper, we will study the possible success factors of OI and DPI management, the influence of ICTs and the generation of a Hyper-collaborative ecosystem, to create value and promote greater well-being in the population.

The tremendous spreading of multimedia via Internet motivates the watermarking as a new promising technology for copyright protection. This work is concerned with the design and development of novel algorithms in the spatial and transform domains for robust and secure watermarking of coloured images. These algorithms are adaptive, content-dependent and compatible with the Human Visual System (HVS). The host channels have the ability to host a large information payload. Furthermore, it has enough capacity to accept multiple watermarks. Abstract This work achieves several contributions in the area of coloured images watermarking. The most challenging problem is to get a robust algorithm that can overcome geometric attacks, which is solved in this work. Also, the search for a very secure algorithm has been achieved via using double secret keys. In addition, the problem of multiple claims of ownership is solved here using an unusual approach. Furthermore, this work differentiates between terms, which are usually confusing the researchers and lead to misunderstanding in most of the previous algorithms. One of the drawbacks in most of the previous algorithms is that the watermark consists of a small numbers of bits without strict meaning. This work overcomes this weakness III in using meaningful images and text with large amounts of data. Contrary to what is found in literature, this work shows that the green-channel is better than the blue-channel to host the watermarks. A more general and comprehensive test bed besides a broad band of performance evaluation is used to fairly judge the algorithms.

The major themes of this thesis are the impact of Intellectual Property (IP) systems on foreign direct investment spillovers and bilateral FDI flows. This thesis consists of three empirical studies. The first study integrates in the existing theoretical frameworks the distinct effect of the public IP enforcement element of IP systems on FDI horizontal spillovers. By employing a meta-analysis approach and the ordered probit model estimation technique, it finds that the strength of public IP enforcement in a host country has a positive effect on FDI horizontal spillovers but it dampens the positive effect of IP law protection on FDI horizontal spillovers when it becomes too strong. The second empirical study examines the impact of IP systems on FDI vertical spillovers. This study employs a similar conceptual and empirical approach and finds that the strength of public IP enforcement has a positive effect on FDI vertical spilloversbut a negative moderating effect on the relationship between the strength of IP law protection and FDI vertical spillovers. In the third empirical study, a gravity model is applied to test the effect of IP systems on bilateral FDI flows in OECD countries. Using the Poisson pseudo-maximum-likelihood, it finds both the strength of IP law protection and the strength of public IP enforcement to have a positive effect on bilateral FDI flows. The broad implication of these findings is that countries should strengthen both their IP law protection and enforcement but apply appropriate measures to mitigate the negative effect resulted from excessive IP protection.