Competition Policy and Intellectual Property

This title contains discussions that explore the role of competition policy and intellectual property rights in promoting an efficient and innovative economy. This volume contains a collection of papers and commentaries stemming from a March 2005 symposium, which was organized in co-operation by the Competition Bureau, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, and the Micro-economic Policy Analysis and Marketplace Framework Policy branches of Industry Canada. Given developments such as the prevalence of authorized generic pharmaceuticals, the apparent extension of intellectual property rights, and rapid advancements in communications technology such as digitization, many concerns have emerged about if the customary methods of licensing IP rights remain the most efficient mechanisms for disseminating IP and encouraging its creation.The papers and commentaries contained in this book reflect an intensive evaluation of these concerns and endeavour to find the right balance between creating incentives for innovation and the encouragement of vigorous competition in the marketplace.