The Informal Economy, Innovation and Intellectual Property - Concepts, Metrics and Policy Considerations

WIPO Economics and Statistics Series, Economic Research Working Paper No. 10

76 Pages Posted: 23 Sep 2013

See all articles by Jeremy de Beer

Jeremy de Beer

University of Ottawa - Common Law Section

Kun Fu

Imperial College

Sacha Wunsch-Vincent

Institute for International Economics

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Date Written: 2013

Abstract

In this working paper, the authors connect concepts, definitions and data regarding the informal economy, innovation, and intellectual property in order to establish a framework for further qualitative and quantitative research and the improvement of public policies in respect of these issues.

First, the authors review the literature defining the informal economy, and present an original synthesis of statistical data regarding the informal economy’s social and economic significance. Second, the authors apply established and emerging concepts of innovation to the context of informal systems. Third, the authors discuss a spectrum of appropriation mechanisms, ranging from formal intellectual property rights to informal mechanisms of knowledge protection, sharing and exchange. Fourth and finally, the authors review existing policy approaches toward innovation in the formal economy, and establish a framework to consider future scenarios for the application of intellectual property concepts in this context.

Keywords: informal economy, innovation, intellectual property

Suggested Citation

de Beer, Jeremy and Fu, Kun and Wunsch-Vincent, Sacha, The Informal Economy, Innovation and Intellectual Property - Concepts, Metrics and Policy Considerations (2013). WIPO Economics and Statistics Series, Economic Research Working Paper No. 10, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2329410

Jeremy De Beer (Contact Author)

University of Ottawa - Common Law Section ( email )

57 Louis Pasteur Street
Ottawa, K1N 6N5
Canada

Kun Fu

Imperial College ( email )

South Kensington Campus
Exhibition Road
London, Greater London SW7 2AZ
United Kingdom

Sacha Wunsch-Vincent

Institute for International Economics ( email )

1750 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036-1903
United States
202-454 1312 (Phone)

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