The field of intellectual property has broadened and deepened in so many ways, and at such pace, that there is a tendency for academic commentators to focus on the next new thing, or to react immediately to judicial developments, rather than to reflect more deeply on the greater themes of the discipline. The Kritika: Essays on Intellectual Property series is a series of books that are designed to fulfill this role by creating a forum for essays that take a critical, long-term approach to the field of intellectual property. Breaking down the barriers of specialization, and laying the foundation for an emergent critical scholarship, this first book in the series brings together the leading scholars in the field to reflect deeply on the current state and future of their discipline.

The fields of intellectual property have broadened and deepened in so many ways, and at such pace, that there is a tendency for academic commentators to focus on the next new thing, or to react immediately to judicial developments, rather than to reflect more deeply on the greater themes of the discipline. Kritika: Essays on Intellectual Property is a series of books designed to fulfil this role by creating a forum for essays that take a critical, long-term approach to the field of intellectual property. Volume 2 covers issues such as inter alia the current limits of knowledge and approaches to intellectual property, a functional account of intellectual property rights, China’s approach to innovation and intellectual property, the emergence of multi-layered IP-protection for designed objects, and the trajectory of increased protection for intellectual property.