Aims at providing an analytical framework to deal with, and understand, the relationship between intellectual property rights and foreign direct investment. Considers some of the multiple variables that affect this relationship, including the type of intellectual property rights involved, the purpose of foreign direct investment, the industries most affected and the degree of industrial and technological development of the countries concerned. Reviews the main developments that have recently taken place in intellectual property legislation in developing countries as in the future work of the World Intellectual Property Organisation, the Union for the Protection of Plant Varities and the Uruguay Round, and considers their potential influence on TNC strategies and decisions.

3/7/00 M2LMGR