| This thesis is concerned primarily with the relation between intellectual property protection regimes and technology transfer in the Third World. The thesis describes how the issue of intellectual property has been dealt with between the developed and developing nations in the context of the North-South dialogue and explains why the majority of Third World nations have not yet been successful in technology transfer. The North-South discussions in this thesis include the New International Economic Order, the Rio Summit and the GATT Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. Pointing out the need for a cost-benefit model regarding the introduction of strong intellectual property systems in Third World nations, the thesis indicates that intellectual property protection should not be considered as the sole or prime condition for technology transfer in these nations. Utilizing the case study of technology transfer into China, the thesis concludes that comparative advantages (low wages, in this case) and economic infrastructure (including human resource development, entrepreneurship and market-oriented deregulation) are more important in encouraging direct foreign investment, and hence technology transfers in the Third World than intellectual property protection regimes in themselves. |
