Geistiges Eigentum und Gemeinfreiheit

The contributions to this volume analyze the delicate balance between the need for effective protection of intellectual property rights and the public interest in access to information and in free competition. From the perspective of constitutional law, economic theory, patent law, copyright law, trade mark law and competition law, the authors investigate whether the currently existing system of national, European and international intellectual property law adequately balances rights owners' interests and the public interest in a general access to information.