          
          
          
          
                    Unfair Competition and Related Rights
          
               In the United States, federal law protects exclusive 
          rights in patents, trademarks, copyrights, and mask works. 
          Other intangible property such as trade names and business 
          goodwill, trade secrets, and know-how are protected against 
          unfair competition by Federal and state law.
          
               Most developed countries have unfair competition laws 
          similar to those of the United States, although details 
          vary. The European Community, for example, bans 
          "restrictive business practices" that would deter trade 
          among the countries of the Community.
          
               Not all countries have unfair competition laws, and 
          even in some countries that do have them, ideas of public 
          policy may conflict with the accepted principles of the 
          developed nations.  Protection for trade secrets of 
          valuable unpatented technology may be inadequate. Most 
          developed countries will enforce a written agreement not to 
          divulge a trade secret, for example, while such an 
          agreement may conflict with the transfer of technology laws 
          of some developing countries. Before divulging any 
          information which could be helpful to a potential 
          competitor, it would be wise to investigate the protection 
          available in the recipient's country and in any country 
          which may be a potential market.
          
               Social and economic policies may also affect the value 
          of intellectual property. Some countries restrict the right 
          to do business unless the foreign concern assists in 
          meeting certain goals. Typical examples include 
          requirements for generic labels of comparable size with the 
          trademark, requirements for local working of patented 
          inventions, better treatment for businesses with local 
          ownership, and restrictions on intellectual property 
          licensing arrangements. In addition, health and safety 
          regulations may require submission of proprietary 
          information to the authorities, without restricting access 
          to it by local competitors. The best rule to follow is, 
          investigate before you invest.
          
          
          
