Is the downloading of the new global IPR regime changing the EU? The second image reversed of intellectual property rights

Meier Henk Erik, Costa O.F.

Forschungsartikel (Zeitschrift) | Peer reviewed

Zusammenfassung

Our paper addresses the relationship between the European Union and the new changing global intellectual property rights (IPR) regime. By exploring the existence and workings of ‘second image reversed processes', we not only regard the EU as a political subject participating in the negotiations on international IPR regimes, but ask whether the ‘downloading' of the new global IPR regime also changes EU policies. We assume that the emerging international IPR regimes influence the EU by altering its domestic balance, that is, by changing actors' objectives as well as by modifying domestic power balances and perceptions of legitimacy. Our main claim is that the impact of international IPR regimes depends critically on whether the norms derived from an international regime can be dealt with in a technocratic manner, in order to facilitate the formation of a winning coalition and to prevent member states' resistance. Our two case studies on international IPR regimes' influence on the EU provide strong evidence for this claim. Negotiations about international IPR regimes triggered policy learning processes mainly affecting the European Commission. In addition, these negotiations and agreements changed cost-benefit calculations as they offered the universalization of stronger IPR rules and better enforcement mechanisms. Also, international institutions have legitimized an IPR modernization approach and have opened opportunity windows for the Commission to gain new competencies for the EU. Yet, the mechanisms that enable international institutions to influence the EU only work when the changes they trigger can be dealt with in a technocratic manner.

Details zur Publikation

FachzeitschriftPolitische Vierteljahresschrift
Jahrgang / Bandnr. / Volume2012
Ausgabe / Heftnr. / IssueSpecial Issue 46
StatusVeröffentlicht
Veröffentlichungsjahr2012
Sprache, in der die Publikation verfasst istEnglisch
StichwörterIntellectual property; European Union; Second image reversed

Autor*innen der Universität Münster

Meier, Henk Erik
Professur für Sozialwissenschaften des Sports (Prof. Meier)