01 July 2009

Measuring IP protection in the IT sector

Meir Pugatch explains which jurisdictions offer IP owners the best protection for their IT innovations

One-minute read

Three years ago, the Stockholm Network began to assess the degree of IP protection afforded to the IT sector in key markets around the world. The aim of the project was to inject more objectivity into debates about the strength of intellectual property rights as they affect the high tech and IT sector. The project's authors did this by developing an innovative statistical index. The Stockholm Network has now updated the index for 2008-09.

It concludes that the US still offers the highest level of protection, while the EU has the weakest. However, some countries and regions have made big improvements over the past three years: the EU has extended the duration of copyright from 50 to 70 years, while Singapore, France, Sweden, the UK, Brazil and Japan have all seen a decline in piracy rates.

One of the most fundamental problems in public discussions about Europe's IP policies is the shortage of information about what make a good IP environment that is relevant to Europe's high tech industries in general, and to the IT sector in particular.

The rest of this article is available to subscribers to Managing IP only.

Subscribe today to this product for full access to this article. Alternatively, take a 48-hour free trial giving you access to the current content.

If you are already a subscriber please log in (see top right column) to access the rest of this article.

Managing Intellectual Property

Navigation Menu

Managing IP Home Page

Managing IP Products

Browse Magazine

IP Resources

Measuring IP protection in the IT sector

The rest of this article is available to subscribers to Managing IP only.

Events

July / August 2010