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Owning the world of ideas : intellectual property and global network capitalism

Formally, ownership of ideas is legally impossible, and can never be globally secured. Yet, in very real and significant ways these limits have been undone. In principle, ideas cannot be owned, yet, undoing the distinction between ideas and tangible manifestations, the distinction which underpins the principle, allows the principle to hold even whilst its meaning is hollowed out. Post-Cold War global network capitalism is premised upon regulatory structures designed to enforce deregulation in global markets and production, but at the same time to enforce global regulation of property and intellectual property in particular. However, this roll-out has not been without resistance and limitations. Globalization, the affordances of digital networks, and contradiction within capitalism itself - between private property and free markets - promote and undo global IP expansion. In this book David and Halbert map the rise of global IP protectionism, debunk the key justifications given for IPRs, dismiss the arguments put forward for global extension and harmonization; and suggest that roll-back, suspension, and even simply the bi-passing of IP in practice offer better solutions for promoting innovation and meeting human needs.

Is intellectual property pluralism functional?

"The international intellectual property (IP) law system allows states to develop policies that reflect their national interests. Therefore, although there is an international minimum standards framework in place, states have widely varying IP laws and differing interpretations of these laws. This book examines whether pluralism in IP law is functional when applied to copyright, patents and trademarks on an international basis. The book is divided into four parts which focus on the interaction between global standards and national norms, pluralism within the framework of international norms, pluralistic functions of copyright and the flexibility applied to patent law. Within these themes, topical issues are addressed such as traditional knowledge, geographical indications, protecting plant varieties and freedom of expression. Contributors are drawn from a range of jurisdictions to provide a global outlook on the topics at hand."--The international intellectual property (IP) law system allows states to develop policies that reflect their national interests. Therefore, although there is an international minimum standards framework in place, states have widely varying IP laws and differing interpretations of these laws. This book examines whether pluralism in IP law is functional when applied to copyright, patents and trademarks on an international basis. The book is divided into four parts which focus on the interaction between global standards and national norms, pluralism within the framework of international norms, pluralistic functions of copyright and the flexibility applied to patent law. Within these themes, topical issues are addressed such as traditional knowledge, geographical indications, protecting plant varieties and freedom of expression. Contributors are drawn from a range of jurisdictions to provide a global outlook on the topics at hand. Researchers and scholars who are interested in international IP law and its applications will find this to be a valuable resource. Policy makers will also benefit from the contributors' insights on whether law reforms in their home jurisdictions have been effective and how these laws interact with the international IP system.

Zhi shi zhi du li yi : zhi shi chan quan zhi du dui she hui li yi jie gou de ying xiang yan jiu