INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY-RIGHTS IN A NORTH-SOUTH ECONOMIC CONTEXT

There is a need for strong intellectual property rights in less develo ped countries, particularly for production-related innovations. Intell ectual property protection can solve market failure problems and throu gh a policy ''credibility'' effect, encourage innovations and internat ional technology diffusion. The article outlines the need for such pro tection and critiques some of the arguments for making an exception to strong protection in less developed countries.