Op-Ed by Ambassador Linda Taglialatela
This year the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is celebrating its 17th World Intellectual Property Day with the theme: “Innovation – Improving Lives.”
Every year, the US government highlights, celebrates, and accelerates the patent review process for game-changing innovations through our Patents for Humanity award program. Past award recipients include InBios International, inventors of a diagnostic examination for the early detection of dengue fever, and Global Research Innovation & Technology, which developed a way to construct all-terrain wheelchairs using readily available bicycle parts, improving lives in the Caribbean.
These innovations require a comprehensive intellectual property (IP) framework to flourish. Effective protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR) increases creator and investor confidence that their innovations will be protected from copying and theft, incentivizing them to spend time and money on research and development.
A comprehensive intellectual property framework includes, among other things, a legal regime that ensures IPR can be obtained and enforced. Complementary regulatory and fiscal measures incentivize research, development and job growth. Due process and transparency from law enforcement, regulators, and the judiciary are essential, especially to protect and enforce intellectual property assets and investments.
This works for the United States. According to the US Commerce Department, IP-intensive industries account for over 45 million direct and indirect US jobs (nearly a third of the workforce), 50% of US exports, and almost 40% of US GDP. These jobs pay well. Average weekly wages in IP-intensive industries are 46% higher than in non-IP-intensive fields, and IP-intensive industries are more likely to enjoy trade surpluses and weather economic crisis better than industries not employing IP.
We believe it can work everywhere. In fact, local inventors and creators are particularly well-placed to find solutions for local problems and create artistic content that reflects local culture. Here are a few examples of why a strong IP system is important:
IPR protection benefits the economy: A recent US Chamber of Commerce international index found a strong positive link between robust IPR protection and increased technology transfer, scientific exchange, clinical trials, research spending, high-tech sector growth, access to finance, access to digital technology, jobs, and foreign direct investment (FDI). And World Economic Forum and OECD surveys show that countries perceived as having the strongest intellectual property protections are among the most economically competitive.
IPR protection promotes innovation and creativity: In 1980, the US changed its patent policy to allow universities to retain ownership of inventions resulting from federally-funded research. In return, universities are expected to file for patent protection and commercialise and license the use of their inventions. The royalties from such ventures are shared with the inventors and a portion is provided to the university to invest in further research. As a result, new products, new firms — and even entirely new industries, such as biotech — emerged.
IPR enforcement benefits consumers and society: New ideas greatly benefited consumers in the last few years. From widely available smartphones to new treatments for cancer and other life-threatening diseases, our lives are better for advances in innovation. We have also seen the danger to consumers when IP, like trademarks, are not protected. Counterfeit medicines and unsafe fake products, including car parts or children’s toys, caused serious harm to consumers. Governments have a duty to combat counterfeits.
Weak IPR protections undermine IP’s economic and social benefits: In 2014, the OECD estimated global losses of more than $461 billion, or 2.5% of world GDP, from counterfeiting. According to the International Chamber of Commerce, up to 2.4 million legitimate jobs and over $100 billion in fiscal revenues were lost to counterfeiting and piracy in 2013, with these figures set to more than double by 2022. Governments and citizens can’t afford to miss out on these benefits.
As Eastern Caribbean countries work to attract FDI and expand and diversify their economies, it is essential to prioritise comprehensive IPR protections. On World IP Day, let’s take a moment to consider the inventors of the innovations that make our lives better. Let’s vow to review and update the regulatory, judicial, and law enforcement frameworks that make it possible to bring their ideas into action.
Source: US Embassy Barbados
