PARTICULARITIES OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT IN GEORGIA

Abstract

The article examines the nature and significance of intellectual property in Georgia. The issue is highly interesting both from theoretical and practical viewpoints. The Law on patents was adopted in Georgia in 1999 and has undergone many changes since then. The Law was significantly improved as a result of 2010 amendments. In general terms, the intellectual property is a field of law, which governs and defines the property rights and personal non–property rights in the field of creative activity. To explore these issues, the article makes reference to a number of earlier assumptions, historical context and past approaches. Some authors use the term ‘patent pyramid,’ comparing it to a casino, where three persons are engaged in a state or sometimes inter–state innovative game. The article looks at the issue in the context of Georgia. Georgia declared independence in 1991, which also marked the beginning of new era in the field of inventions. Georgia’s National Centre of Intellectual Property – Georgian Patent – was established in 1992. Georgia is a member of The World Trade Organization (WTO) established in 1993. Hence the UN–approved requirements of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) related to the intellectual property are binding upon Georgia, as are the requirements pertaining to the industrial property. We conclude that Georgia’s Patent Law needs further improvements, as the improved law is likely to contribute to the intellectual property in Georgia and lead to significant reduction in a number of disputes in the given field.