Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Masunda, Stein
Author-Name-First: Stein
Author-Name-Last: Masunda
Author-Email: smasunda@gmail.com
Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Business Sciences, DAED, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe; & College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
Author-Name: Mhonyera, Gabriel
Author-Name-First: Gabriel
Author-Name-Last: Mhonyera
Author-Email: 25807765nwu@gmail.com
Author-Workplace-Name: College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
Title: The Role of Intellectual Property Rights Protection on Intra- Comesa Trade with A Specific Focus on Trademarks
Abstract: This paper employs the Pseudo Poisson Maximum Likelihood estimation technique to investigate the impact of trademarks, as a proxy for Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), on intra-Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) trade using panel data from 2000 to 2022. While the study establishes significant aggregate-level market expansion effects of trademarks on imports within COMESA, it also reveals sector-specific variations. Specifically, the study confirms a positive correlation between trademark-related imports of plastics, pharmaceuticals, rubber, tobacco, paper, and footwear products, suggesting that stronger trademark enforcement could enhance market expansion in this sector. Conversely, a negative correlation between trademark-related imports of dairy and clothing products is exposed, indicating potential market power effects that might restrict intra-COMESA trade. These findings underscore the importance of tailored IPRs policies across sectors, advocating for strengthened trademark protection in sectors that are significant and positively affected, while suggesting a more lenient approach for promoting trade in negatively affected sectors within the COMESA region.
Keywords: Intellectual Property Rights, Trademark, TRIPS Agreement, PPML, COMESA
Journal: International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues
Pages: 369-377
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Year: 2024
Month: 12
DOI: 10.32479/ijefi.17304
File-URL: https://econjournals.com/index.php/ijefi/article/download/17304/8503
File-Format: application/pdf
Handle: RePEc:eco:journ1:v:15:y:2024:i:1:id:17304