Intellectual property (IP) rights should not be viewed as a hindrance to a country's development, although a big misunderstanding exists among certain interest groups on the issue, says the European-Asean Business Centre.
EABC president Rolf-Dieter Daniel argues IP rights are in fact crucial to the development of a country.
“For instance, it is in the interest of every farmer to have a free-trade agreement and IP rights,” he said.
“If you don’t protect your own trademarks, they are exploited as well, so I think it is a win-win solution.”
But Somnuck Jongmeewasin, an independent community researcher, said there should be no IP rights for natural and cultural resources, as they have universal value and do not belong to capitalists. Some groups such as the Bio Thai Foundation are against the registration of IP rights for living things, out of concern that they will end up in the hands of the private sector or certain organizations. “This would provide an opportunity for companies and industrialized countries to seize control of natural resources in developing countries,” said Mr Somnuck. “The US, for example, is trying to push this agenda through free-trade agreements.”