Print This PageCorporate Responsibility
Viewpoint: Intellectual Property
Michael D. Hauser
Public Policy,
Monsanto Company
We recognize the contribution that quality intellectual property (IP) systems can provide to economic development. Today, effective intellectual property systems contribute to stable and creative business environments and healthy market economies. Effective IP systems can provide an incentive to invest the resources needed to foster innovation. The result is a society where innovation, knowledge, and creativity are shared in ways that are respectful of the innovator and the creative hard work of the people.
Intellectual property is currently a topic of emotional debate on the world stage. Some believe that IP systems benefit only developed countries and exploit developing ones. At Monsanto, we believe that free-market economies offer great hope for overcoming the tremendous and immediate needs of the developing world. We also believe that, within the predictable business environment a free-market economy provides, our agricultural technologies can make considerable contributions to societal development. Such strong market economies are characterized by transparent and science-based intellectual property rights, which are complemented by other institutions such as legal systems that impartially enforce the law.
For these reasons, Monsanto supports the establishment of effective national intellectual property systems that comply with the disciplines detailed in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) of the World Trade Organization. Nations that responsibly protect intellectual property rights are clearly attractive venues for trade and investment. But, just as important, they are nations whose own innovative and talented citizens do not have to emigrate for fear that their hard work will be stolen, but rather stay and contribute to the development of society at home.
Monsanto addresses intellectual property challenges raised in the developing world through active participation in international organizations such as the Business and Industry Council of the Office of Economic Cooperation and Development; the United Nations Environmental Program, the Convention on Biodiversity; the World Intellectual Property Organization; and the World Trade Organization. Monsanto positions concerning intellectual property stem from our fundamental beliefs. We believe all nations have a sovereign right to ensure access to and shared benefits from their genetic resources; intellectual property protection should be practical, transparent, and science-based; strong enforcement of intellectual property rights is essential to combat counterfeiting and piracy; and that the private sector can add significant value to intellectual property policy.
