U.S. Chamber Study Highlights Paths for Providing Technology to Other Nations

Report Hails IP as a Facilitator to Advancing Technologies to the Developing World

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber's Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) today released a report highlighting different methods of technology diffusion – the process of providing technology to other nations - while hailing intellectual property as a key to advancing green technologies to the developing world.

"The green technologies required to address the global challenges of climate change will come through innovation," said Dr. Mark Esper, executive vice president the Chamber's Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC). "A strong system of intellectual property rights will serve as the empowering mechanism to advance these technologies to developing nations."

"This study not only disproves the myth that IP is a barrier to technology diffusion, but it identifies the real barriers to technology transfer and offers real solutions," Esper said. The report, Promoting Technology Diffusion to the Developing World, analyzes threats to innovation and technology diffusion, existing obstacles to this diffusion, and recommendations for improving the transfer of technologies to nations that need them. These obstacles include laws, regulations and policies imposed by host nations as well as high tariffs and lack of proper infrastructure.

Additionally, the study focuses on recommendations for improving technology diffusion. These include the establishment of a strong legal framework, fostering an environment that encourages increased research and development, improvements to local infrastructure, and investments in human capital.

"In recent years, some foreign governments have unjustly labeled IP as an impediment to the diffusion of technology, and this simply is not the case," Esper said. "This study indicates that domestic issues and undue regulations impede progress, and stand in the way of innovation derived from strong IP rights." To read the report in its entirety, please click here.

The Chamber's Global Intellectual Property Center is working around the world to champion intellectual property (IP) as vital to creating jobs, saving lives, advancing global economic growth, and generating breakthrough solutions to global challenges.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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