CHALLENGES ON THE EVOLUTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS REGIME, ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Intellectual Property is a generic term that probably came into regular use during the 20th Century. The generic name comprises of different legal regimes.  Each of them confers different rights, and obligations, based on the particular subject matter. For example, copyrights, patents, designs, trademarks, and protection against unfair competition etc. The subject matter of early intellectual property law formed some other subject matter like, inventions, literary works, artistic works, designs and trademarks. One of the most important features of intellectual property is that, its early historical background points to the idea of monopoly, and privilege, where by some rights were accorded to the owners of inventions, for some particular years to enjoy to the exclusion of all others This work in present time, examined the existence of intellectual property, and its origin , vis- a-vis the territorial, international, global, and the post trips and the existence of intellectual property which  has added the protection of computer software, the patentability of micro-organisms  and even the new system to protect some  as part of copyright.  But then with all these on ground, the concept of intellectual property has not gained any achievable goals, in the global world, especially as the legal protection for databases remains part of the work programme for the World Intellectual Property Organization. ( WIPO). Recommendations were made, then conclusions.