How the Law Works: Exploring the Implications of Emerging Intellectual Property Regimes for Knowledge,Economy and Society

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore, in a broad and preliminary way, how changes in the law, in knowledge production and in the economy reciprocally shape and respond to one another. Working from selected examples, it reveals how intellectual property laws and regulations are reorganizing practices of knowledge production within and between knowledge institutions. It also addresses how scientists and their partners in industry, government and elsewhere are using or otherwise responding to legal developments as part of their strategy to advance their changing research and related economic, political and other interests and options. Following the analysis, the article discusses the wider social implications of the reciprocal transformation of knowledge production, the economy and the law and concludes with some reflections on how to respond to its more harmful effects.

Keywords

competitiveness development economy inequality intellectual property knowledge knowledge production law research

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