Several years ago, I got excited when Professors Thomas Cottier and Ernst-Ulrich
Petersmann, in separate settings, advised me to write something on intellectual property
and developing countries. But it was only after Professor Andrew Clapham, who directed
my Masters Dissertation on Dispute Settlement Under the TRIPS Agreement in Relation to
Human Rights and embraced the idea of me writing a Ph.D thesis on intellectual property
and development, that I launched into research on this issue. This book is an improved
version of my Ph.D thesis at the Graduate Institute of International and Development
Studies. I would like to thank Professor Andrew Clapham for Directing the Ph.D thesis.
Professor Joost Pauwelyn was not only a second reader but enriched the research with his
insights in WTO law. Professor Ruth Okediji’s expertise in international copyright law gave
a completely different face to the final outcome of the Ph.D thesis. I sincerely thank them
both. A one year scholarship from The Graduate Institute allowed me to take time off
work and concentrate on research.
I have been lucky to count on the support of several friends and colleagues, whom
I unfortunately cannot list here. Danielle Avanthay of the Ph.D Secretariat at the Graduate
Institute provided all the support needed to take care of my children and complete the
Ph.D. Sisule Musungu of IQsensato enabled me to test some of the ideas in this book by
asking me to speak as a panellist at some of his intellectual property and development
seminars. I especially benefitted from the seminar on Copyright and Access to Educational
and Learning Materials. Andrew Prosser and Rosalind Wood kindly proof read the manuscript.
I especially thank Wend Wendland of the World Intellectual Organization for being
available whenever needed.
Lastly, special thanks to my husband Fridrich ?trba, whose unfailing love and support
ensured that the book was written, and whose insights in general public international law
improved the final product.