TRIPS, TRADE, AND TECHNOLOGY-TRANSFER

A north-south model of unintentional technology transfer is developed where the stringency of southern patent protection provides the institutional backdrop for a strategic game in a high-tech goods market. The appropriability regime is set endogenously and combines elements of imperfect southern patent protection with the protection afforded by market-made northern technology 'masquing.' Less stringent protection of northern intellectual property can 'work' much like other strategic trade policies; therefore, developed countries appear to be fight in demanding discussion of intellectual property rights in GATT.