A recently released report from the Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC), a U.S. Chamber of Commerce affiliate, and ndp consulting addresses the significance that “IP Intensive” industries play in American productivity and global competitiveness. The report, “The Impact of Innovation and the Role of Intellectual Property Rights on U.S. Productivity, Competitiveness, Jobs, Wages and Export,” examines the economic impact of intellectual property rights in the U.S. economy. The report found that industries which rely heavily on IP, such as pharmaceuticals, aerospace and computers produce a lot more jobs, pay higher wages, drive U.S. exports and sustain economic growth much better than non-IP-intensive industries.  The report also found that these industries had been a considerable source of extremely-skilled jobs and even produced jobs in the course of economic downturns. Pharmaceutical innovation … Read entire article »

Background Mr Ray was a highly respected expert in classical music in England, reputed to have an encyclopaedic information of classical music. He was engaged by Classic FM in the United Kingdom in 1991 to compile the radio station’s repertoire, compile playlists, categorising tracks for play lists, and rate their popularity under each of the categories. The contract did not deal with intellectual property rights. The consultancy agreement was originally for 11 months, nevertheless the work of Mr Ray proved beneficial for Classic FM, and his services were extended until 1997. Some 50,000 tracks were eventually categorised. The outcomes of the work had been incorporated into a database that was utilised to select music on a rotational basis, and stop overplaying. … Read entire article »