The Japan Intellectual Property Association (JIPA) held its 13th JIPA IP Symposium in Tokyo on Feb. 24 to raise awareness of importance of intellectual property (IP) in this era of globalization.
More and more, manufacturers in Japan and other developed countries are moving their research and development operations to emerging nations, where they have manufacturing facilities. But they also have reservations about doing so because of inconsistencies in developing countries' IP protection.
Establishing solid legal systems to properly protect IP in developing countries will help not only the countries attract foreign direct investment, but also firms in developed countries advance their technology through technological collaboration with developing countries, which boast many highly skilled workers.