'International Trade in Intellectual Properties' Knowledge Diffusion Essay

'International Trade in Intellectual Properties' Knowledge Diffusion of Exploitation' - Essay Example Previously products that were regarded inferior in technology have been revamped to become more appealing and efficient on the technological end. All these aspects attest to the increasing trade being carried out across the borders in intellectual property (IP). Producers of goods are given by law the right to protect their ideas and creativity from being stolen and exploited by other people. Moreover producers can also negotiate and exchange these ideas at a price. This is referred to as intellectual property rights and occurs in an array of forms; for instance, copyrights can protect movies and books, trademarks can provide immunity from exploitation to product logos and patents can be applied to inventions. One of the reasons why such rights are being promoted is to encourage producers to come up with new ideas and practically apply them without the fear of them being exploited and stolen by competitors (1). Moreover the integration of IP into the trade regime has served to be a s olution to the shortcomings of the WIPO system (2). IP has evolved into a means of gaining competitive advantage in modern international trade. The rapid pace of technological advancements occurring all around the world coupled with increasing economic globalization has helped to create more competitiveness amongst countries. Amidst such high competition, the protection of ideas and creativity of producers helps to guarantee that rivals do not steal the idea and take credit away from the original producers (3). The economic worth of IP lies in the fact that it serves to advance and further competitive capability. One such example is the protection of IP with regard to the software industry in India. The transfer and exchange of IP is often seen amongst developing countries. This is because the economies of these nations are still budding and developing. There is a need for greater investment and transfer in research and technology along with improvements and advancements in certain industries such as manufacturing and service industries. One way of achieving such modernization is through the trading of intellectual property across the national border. The advantages of such barter not only lie in the acquisition of better and advanced technology by the buyer but also in greater economic gain for the seller. The trade of IP allows countries to commercialize and market the creativity of their producers and to achieve competitive advantage through it. Moreover countries who are importing IP are benefitted from the influx of an array of IP such as textbooks for the national education system, art works by talented artists etc (4). The recent trends in international trade are making the exchange of buying and selling much simpler and secure. When looking at the changes occurring by the advent of e-commerce, one can appreciate that no industry is changing at a more rapid rate than the technology transfer industry. This tech transfer industry primarily compromises of patent licensing executives, inventor-scientists, patent attorneys and technology brokers. These agents are responsible for the sale, purchase and licensing of IP all over the world. There are a number of factors motivating these people to barter IP on an international scale; these also portray the advantages of trading IP globally. IP can be exploited in two main ways: selling and licensing; a range of factors affect the

The public-private partnerships in healthcare services in middle Dissertation

The public-private partnerships in healthcare services in middle income countries - Dissertation Example The cost of spending for drugs and treatment for diseases indicate that higher costs for drugs and treatment would mean a greater burden for both low and middle income countries. The persistent and polarizing debate on health issues experienced by most countries of the world include the significant roles and the balance needed to protect the public and the private sector in securing health services for low and middle income nations (Berendes, et.al., 2011). Recently, the debates between the groups supporting either the public or private systems have become very passionate and heated, made worse by the 2007-2009 global economic downturn which strained government funds and private finances. The impact of such downturn on health has been particularly significant as many governments decreased allocations on health spending for their territories (Stuckler, et.al., 2011). At one point, the International Monetary Fund also pointed out that governments needed to expand the scope of private s ectors’ coverage in health care in relation to loan conditions, as a means of decreasing government debts (Stuckler and Basu, 2009). This remedy was severely criticized, especially by Oxfam, a non-profit organization. Oxfam pointed out that in order to ensure a wider and equitable healthcare coverage, the government must serve as its main health provider (Oxfam, 2009). In response, the World Bank (2009) has expressed the importance of specific and practical remedies which would support available resources, engaging the private enterprises in countries which have poor public health and human services. The Center for Global Development also pointed out that Oxfam did not consider the informal units, especially the fact that the poor may want to seek private health services even if they are unable to afford it (Harding, 2009). The above discussion presents two sides. On one side are those who want universal and public health services access as well as those wanting the private s ector to make available care in areas where there has been failure in public services. The private sector advocates point out that the private sector is the primary provider, especially as poor patients prefer health management by private clinics (Berendes, et.al., 2011). These advocates also indicate how the private sector may respond favourably to efficient services with the demands of market competition which must also overcome corruption and inefficiencies (Rosenthal and Newbrander, 1996). On the other side of this debate, the public sector advocates emphasize issues in accessing healthcare services caused by limits in the resources of the poor in paying for health services provided by the private sector. They have acknowledged how private markets often do not provide public health services including primary health care (Basu, et.al., 2012). The private sector is also not coordinated in terms of public health services, elements which are important in noting trends in diseases an d in managing epidemics. Both groups point out that their critics unfairly judge them due to their ideologies (Montague, et.al., 2009). They cite case reports in order to support such belief (Oxfam, 2009; World Bank, 2009). However, major issues may be seen for both groups especially as large private firms and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) may thrive better