Law Commons^™

International Copyright: An Unorthodox Analysis, Hugh C. Hansen

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

Professor Hansen reviews the development of copyright from its traditional domestic orientation to the modern emphasis on globalization and harmonization. His commentary analogizes modem trends in International copyright to religious equivalents. He notes that the current players include a "secular priesthood" (the traditional copyright bar and academics), "agnostics and atheists" (newer academics and lawyers, particularly those concerned with technology and the culture of the public domain) and "missionaries" (whose task it is to increase copyright protection around the world and who are primarily driven by trade considerations). The copyright "crusade" has been driven by this last group.

The author compares …

Prospects For Developing Countries Under The Trips Agreement, Ruth L. Gana

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

This Article focuses on the future impact of the TRIPs Agreement on developing countries with regard to patent and copyright protection. While some scholars have suggested that the intellectual property protection provided by the TRIPs Agreement significantly benefits developing countries just as well as such protection has benefited developed countries in terms of increased economic growth and development, the author of this Article disagrees. Upon close analysis of the TRIPs Agreement's impact on developing countries, including the use of illustrative examples and a case study of the People's Republic of China with regard to copyright protection, this author concludes that …

Worldwide Copyright Protection Under The Trips Agreement, Eric H. Smith

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

The author begins by analyzing the purposes of the TRIPS Agreement. He then discusses piracy losses on a regional and global basis, emphasizing industry-based variations and the economic impact of these losses. Mr. Smith then examines several of the key implementation problems surrounding TRIPS, including the use of transition phase-in periods for developing countries, and the availability of civil and criminal sanctions. Finally, he highlights other specific portions of the TRIPS Agreement that may engender future controversy.