Free trade

Free trade is the untaxed flow of goods and services between countries, and is a name given to economic policies and parties supporting increases in such trade.

Intellectual property and free trade

Historically, the free trade movement was skeptical and even hostile to the notion of intellectual property, regarded it as monopolistic and harmful to a free, competitive economy. Indeed, during the late 19th century, free trade advocates succeeded in reducing the length of the patents available in many European countries. The Netherlands even abolished its patent system (temporarily, as it turned out).

Related Topics:
Intellectual property - Monopolistic - Patent

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The 19th century anti-patent cause failed largely because the recession of 1874 weakened the free trade movement of the time {{ref|Machlup1950}} (and also because patent advocates used a public relations campaign which was remarkably sophisticated for its time).

Related Topics:
1874 - Public relations

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It is thus remarkable (some would even say ironic) that corporations lobbying for expanded intellectual property privileges have succeeded in including TRIPS, a very strong treaty on intellectual property rights, as a membership requirement for the World Trade Organization, the international organization dedicated to furthering the cause of free trade.

Related Topics:
TRIPS - Treaty - World Trade Organization

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