Jessica C Lai

Research Agenda for Intellectual Property Law and Gender

Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary. A Research Agenda for Intellectual Property Law and Gender expertly examines patent, copyright and trade mark law, bringing to light hidden gender biases and narratives that impact intellectual property law and practice today. Exploring how gender discrimination and inequality are often built into the way the law functions, it assesses the possibilities and limits of existing strategies to improve gender inclusion and equality, and paves a research agenda for the future. This Research Agenda analyses gender-related issues in the context of intellectual property practice. It addresses the consequences of the gendered nature of the law, with contributing authors deploying a variety of methodologies including theoretical, critical, historical, interdisciplinary, intersectional, reformist and revolutionist. They critically reflect on key themes such as power, privilege and pervasiveness in intellectual property, highlighting a multitude of problems that women face in their interactions with the intellectual property system and how these issues can be addressed. This Research Agenda is an indispensable resource for legal academics and law students with a particular interest in intellectual property law and the interactions between gender and the law. Policymakers and legal practitioners will also find its practical applications to be of interest.