Plant breeding patents, the ownership to biological innovation and associated intellectual property rights (IPR), are the subject of increased attention worldwide. They are particularly relevant in the field of agricultural biotechnology. They are affecting public and private sector organisations and companies, and are significant for developing as well as developed countries. These issues have until recently evoked little policy analysis. This book presents the perspectives of policy-makers and economists on such issues and includes discussions of public research and property rights, implications for developing countries, IPR of wild genetic resources and IPR under the Convention of Biological Diversity, among others.

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