Development Bridge Over Troubled Intellectual Property Water

Abstract

Written in celebration of Pedro Roffe's life and achievements, this chapter captures the many valuable contributions he has made in his three decades at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and a decade and a half at the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD). It focuses on three sets of development bridges that he has built and helped build in the intellectual property arena, drawing illustrations from the author's personal encounters with him and his organizations.

This chapter begins with bridges that allow us to revisit the past developments in the international intellectual property regime. It then turns to bridges that help provide a unique vantage point for taking stock of current developments and recognizing what is new and important in this regime. The chapter concludes with bridges that help advance the debate on intellectual property and global development while reorienting us towards a better future.