Rishab Aiyer Ghosh on Challenging Intellectual Property Rights

Rishab Aiyer Ghosh on IPR's and the role of open standards and open software in development.

URL = http://www.intech.unu.edu/podcasts/20060413_ghosh_presentation.mp3

Description

"Rishab Aiyer Ghosh started off the discussions with an overview of common misconceptions in the debate. Intellectual Property Rights ( IPRs ) are often viewed as being essential for innovation and economic growth, he noted, while in reality, there is need to achieve a balance between “... protecting existing creations (which IPRs support), and enabling future creations (which IPRs can hinder)." He stressed that IPRs are not moral rights but economic rights – “temporary monopolies" granted by the state with specific economic aims. He presented the results of several recent studies in Europe and globally that have identified three main economic benefits of using open source software – low costs, skills development (including both technical and management skills), and increased employment opportunities and for local service providers. Going by the empirical evidence, therefore, the current trend towards extending protection for patent holders is inhibiting innovation and access, he said." (http://www.merit.unu.edu/seminars/20060413_abstracts/report.php)

Part of a United Nations University seminar.