Law Commons^™

The Case For Gmos: Dealing With Clashes Between Property Rights And Health And Safety Concerns, Kline C. Moore

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

A comparative analysis of international decisions concerning genetically modified organism (GMO) controversies reveals the judicial inconsistency that is often applied to the property rights of GMO producers and researchers. Courts often find that there are strong property right interests in GMOs, but when these rights clash with health and safety concerns, they are often minimized or completely forgotten; therefore, future growth in biotechnology is inhibited. This Note proposes a solution to this issue that better takes into account all stakeholders and allows for future investment and research into GMOs. The solution draws upon the lessons learned from current regulatory and …

Historic Preservation In Southeast Asia: The Role Of Public-Private Partnerships, Patrick Stough

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

The role of globalization in the rapid economic success of Southeast Asia is exemplified by the growing westernization of the region's cities. While globalization has its benefits, such as encouraging investment and global connectivity, it also threatens the cultural heritage of a given area by encouraging a sort of homogeneity that makes modern cities all look alike. In particular, the goal of economic development often stands at odds with the preservation of structures and properties that reflect the cultural heritage of the region. Furthermore, many of the countries of the region are under pressure to better protect property rights, another …

Palestinian Private Property Rights In Israel And The Occupied Territories, Stacy Howlett

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

As the birth pangs of an emerging Palestinian state rage on, one question bars settlement, reconciliation, and peace: who is entitled to the land? On a macrocosmic level, this question has and will be answered through diplomatic negotiations, political pressure, and violence. The microcosmic question of the disposition of private property, however, must be taken into consideration before any lasting peace agreement can be reached.

The rights and interests of Palestinian refugees and Israeli settlers with respect to the land they have an interest in must be balanced with national needs for territorial continuity and peace. By tracing the transfer …

Book Review--Global Dimensions Of Intellectual Property Rights In Science And Technology, Mark J. Patterson

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

A complete reading of the book leaves open the question of for whom the book is primarily intended. The best answer perhaps is that it has something to offer everyone--lawyer, scientist, intellectual property owner, economist, and politician--having an intellectual curiosity in how global intellectual property systems can and should evolve. From an individual reader's perspective, a cover to cover study of the book may leave the reader feeling overwhelmed and unsatisfied. However, if viewed as a resource, from which portions applicable to the reader's own field of interest are selected for close examination, the book has much to offer. Fortunately, …

The Legal Framework For Private Sector Activity In The Czech Republic, Cheryl W. Gray

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

In this Article, Dr. Gray discusses the evolving legal framework in the Czech Republic as the government there moves from a socialist to a private market economy. The author traces the major legal developments, including the Republic's establishment of significant private property rights and of a modern commercial code. The author finds that the Republic has made significant strides in developing a private market economy and in facilitating foreign investment. Dr. Gray concludes, however, that the new laws face significant challenges, including a weak and immature judicial system and problems with addressing business failures.

International Space Law: Into The Twenty-First Century, Glenn H. Reynolds

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

In this Article, Professor Reynolds addresses the space law issues likely to be of most importance in the next several decades. Pressing issues include those of orbital debris and geostationary orbit crowding, private property rights in outer space resources, conflict over international trade in space goods and services, the danger of ballistic-missile technology proliferation, private remote-sensing systems, and the law of international cooperation in space. Professor Reynolds concludes with a philosophical and practical discussion of some more remote issues, including the legal systems that may govern future human societies in outer space and the legal issues that might be associated …

The Protection Of Industrial Property Rights In The European Economic Community, Ronald L. Smallwood

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

This study of European Economic Community (EEC) industrial property rights discusses trademarks, patents, and copyrights. The legal foundation for the protection of these industrial property rights in the EEC is derived from article 36 of the EEC Treaty, which expressly allows an exception to the prohibition of restrictions against the free movement of goods within the EEC when justified by the protection of industrial property, and article 222, which encompasses the protection of industrial property in the Member States. Although decisions of the Court of Justice on industrial property rights are infrequent, their ramifications are significant throughout the Community since …

Licensing In The Eastern Bloc, Lajos Schmidt

Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

This article will discuss the legal problems faced by American enterprises desiring to license industrial property rights--principally patents, trademarks and know-how--in Eastern Europe. Licensing in seven countries--the Soviet Union, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) and Bulgaria--will be examined. Of course, these countries form separate and independent legal and political jurisdictions; and even their cultural backgrounds differ. Any generalization about them must be taken in that context. Nonetheless, each of these countries is governed by similar political and economic principles--in particular, the principle of centralized economic planning. These common factors are reflected in common problems faced …