ABSTRACT
This chapter points out that higher education institutions, in particular in Latin America, must not disregard the importance of the IPR (intellectual property rights) system as one of several tools to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. The chapter points out that learning how to use the IP system to their advantage - based on their specific needs and without resigning the academic freedom - universities can make enhance the relevance of their research for society and promote entrepreneurship. In Europe, a gap between world-class scientific research performed in the universities and their limited role in innovation and technology development has been emphasized, especially when comparing to other highly dynamic and innovative economies such as the United States and Japan. In Latin America there is a long way until its countries' economic growth based on their own produced knowledge and technology.
