Human Rights, Technology and Food: Coordinating Access and Innovation for 2050 and Beyond

45 Pages Posted: 9 Apr 2014 Last revised: 14 Dec 2014

See all articles by Robert C. Bird

Robert C. Bird

University of Connecticut - School of Business; University of Connecticut School of Law

Daniel R. Cahoy

Pennsylvania State University - Mary Jean and Frank P. Smeal College of Business Administration

Date Written: March 29, 2014

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to suggest a path to alleviating the enduring tension between the right to food and intellectual property rights holders, particularly patent holders, of food-related technologies. After examining the role of technology in relieving the increasing demographic pressure for food, this manuscript explores how the dependence on technology for food solutions can cause a collision with barriers of intellectual property rights. The manuscript then examines how the protect, respect, and remedy framework,developed and introduced by U.N. Special Representative John Ruggie, can be used as an important tool to manage the innovation-access dilemma. The framework can stimulate coordination and innovation between interests in food access and the need for food innovation through rights holders. Policy recommendations are also presented to further encourage a reconciliation between food access and intellectual property regimes.

Keywords: right to food, human rights, patents, intellectual property, John Ruggie, guiding principles

JEL Classification: O34, O19

Suggested Citation

Bird, Robert C. and Cahoy, Daniel R., Human Rights, Technology and Food: Coordinating Access and Innovation for 2050 and Beyond (March 29, 2014). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2420216 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2420216

Robert C. Bird (Contact Author)

University of Connecticut - School of Business ( email )

368 Fairfield Road
Storrs, CT 06269-2041
United States

HOME PAGE: http://businesslaw.business.uconn.edu/robert-bird/

University of Connecticut School of Law ( email )

55 Elizabeth Street
Hartford, CT 06105
United States

Daniel R. Cahoy

Pennsylvania State University - Mary Jean and Frank P. Smeal College of Business Administration ( email )

310 Business Building
University Park, PA 16802
United States
814-865-6205 (Phone)
814-865-6284 (Fax)

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