Human Rights and Intellectual Property Rights

Human rights and intellectual property rights these two are independent disciplines. Human rights secure the fundamental freedoms, equal, inalienable rights and inherent dignity of human beings. Intellectual property rights are concerned about the protection of intellectual creativity. Considering the socio economic significance of the intellectual property rights human rights recognition of intellectual property rights is crucial. The relationship between human rights and intellectual property rights is dynamic. Human rights approach to intellectual property rights on the one hand acknowledges the moral and material interest of the creator and inventor and on the other hand secures the public right to access and enjoy the benefit of intellectual creation. The human rights acknowledgement of intellectual property rights protects the private interest as well as promotes the common good of society at large. This raises conflict between the private interest of intellectual property rights owner and the public interest. Under this context the present study attempts to resolve the conflict and examines whether human rights and intellectual property rights are complimentary to each other.