ABSTRACT
AswasexplainedinChapter1,theroleofIPrightsininternationaltrade,theglobal economyandinternationalrelationshasgrownconsiderably,especiallysincethe 1970s.Thisislinkedtotherecenttremendousadvancesininformationand communicationstechnologyandthelifesciences,includingbiotechnology.US corporationshavebeenresponsibleformanyoftheseadvances.Theyhavealsobeen amongthemainbeneficiaries.Forexample,theUnitedStatesisthehomeof creativeindustries(suchasfilmproductioncompaniesandTVnetworks)whose contentcanbemoreeasilyandinexpensivelydisseminatedthroughouttheworld thaneverbefore.Thecountry'scontinuedeconomicpre-eminenceisgenerally perceivedtobelargelyaconsequenceofthissituationandalsotobedependent uponmaintainingsuchtechnologicalandmarketdominance.
