ABSTRACT

This chapter investigates the economic role of intellectual property rights in the national and international context and discusses the pros and cons of intellectual property protection for developing countries. It highlights the international dimensions of infringement of intellectual property rights. The chapter explores the use of country case studies and investigates the economic performance and government policies on foreign investment, trade, indigenous development, technology transfer and intellectual property protection of the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Thailand. It focuses on some conclusions on the relationship between economic development and protection of intellectual property rights in developing countries. Some Southeast Asian nations which had adopted more defensive strategies towards intellectual property protection have reassessed their contribution to domestic technological and creative development. The chapter discusses the foundation for the demands, namely infringement of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, and semiconductor chip designs in Southeast Asian nations.