Chapter 9

Intelectual Property

The World Intellectual Property Organization’s report on launched a new database, IP Advantage, whose purpose is to provide “one-stop gateway to case studies that chronicle the intellectual property (IP) experiences of inventors, creators, entrepreneurs and researchers from across the globe. Case studies offer insights into how IP works in the real world and how its successful exploitation can contribute to development.” It goes beyond just listing world patents, the database provides a short story of including: the situation before the patent, who and how it was developed (including financing), the enforcement of the intellectual property protection and the business results.

Some of the patents highlighted on the website are for the well being of humanity, such as the medical device which transfuses the patient’s own blood in cases of internal bleeding, or the water purifier which uses UV. One would think these types of inventions should be made available to the public because they can save lives all around the world, especially in developing nations. However, in these cases, the patent was sought for fear of inferior copies which would take advantage of the working original’s reputation.

The database brings forth much more than the existence of a patent. The following through and the results are as interesting as the invention. Searching randomly through the database creates a small addiction similar to that of Wikipedia. I find one story, the struggle, the idea, the development and so on until conclusion and success.

http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/