Abstract

Intellectual property is the most pervasive form of cultural policy. It affects almost every good, service, and product distributed globally, nationally, and locally. The major areas of intellectual property – copyright, patents, and trademarks – enable much of this commerce, but they also tax producers and consumers of products, goods, and services. Because of their pervasiveness, intellectual property rights have emerged as major tools of international trade policy as well as cultural policy. Therefore, nations that have strong regimes of copyright protection, patent filings, and trademark protection are at a distinct advantage in world trade and the exercise of cultural, political, and economic power.