"In the mid-1990s, the World Trade Organization developed the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), which sets out minimum standards of IPR protection. The World Bank has held keen interest in better understanding how well-designed intellectual property policies can help foster development and reduce poverty. This volume brings together studies conducted by World Bank or Bank-affiliated economic researchers who seek to better understand the economic underpinnings of the different degrees and forms of IPR protection."--Jacket.