Master's Thesis from the year 2003 in the subject Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance, grade: 1,0, University Of Applied Sciences Munich (Betriebswirtschaft), language: English, abstract: Inhaltsangabe: Abstract: In recent years governments, international organisations and companies have all strengthened their activities regarding intellectual property rights (IPR). On the one hand, these activities are a response to developments in technology, politics and international business, i.e. the globalisation processes in general. On the other hand, these activities reinforce the globalisation processes. Similar to many other global trends there is a strong interdependence between cause and effect. However, it is unquestionable that IPR have become increasing important in the last few years, both on the macro and micro-economic level, and there is ample evidence to believe that this trend will accelerate in the future. Today, and even more in the future, nobody can afford to ignore the implications of IPR, neither governments, nor management boards. Intellectual property is one of the key tools of future international business. Most international companies have already included related topics like intellectual capital or intangible assets into their business strategies. However, also governments have to recognise the growing importance of intellectual property rights. The legal framework for IPR is a considerable factor of the success of their national economies and hence the wealth of their countries. This thesis analyses the influence of IPR on countries and companies. In addition to the economical aspects of IPR, the historical, philosophical and other factors are given due consideration. Furthermore, this work examines the chances and risks of the new IP related conditions for countries and companies, as well as suitable strategies to cope with the new requirements. Companies have to create intelligent patent strategies in order to protect t