Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • February 1992 (Revised April 1995)
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

Pfizer: Global Protection of Intellectual Property

By: Lynn S. Paine and Michael Santoro
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:29
ShareBar

Abstract

Top officials at Pfizer are assessing their strategy for improving protection of Pfizer's patents around the world. The outcome of the Uruguay Round of the GATT negotiations is uncertain, and it is not clear whether an acceptable intellectual property protection agreement will emerge. The case describes how Pfizer helped transform intellectual property from a lawyer's specialty to an international trade issue of concern around the world through close cooperation with the U.S. government, leadership in forming a tripartite coalition among U.S., Japanese, and European industry, and mobilization of the Pfizer organization. Shows how far a company may go to protect its intellectual property in a world where the concept of intellectual property is not universally recognized or accepted. May also be used to discuss the effectiveness and legitimacy of Pfizer's strategy, the conflicts between industrialized country and developing country perspectives on international trade and national sovereignty, and the question of appropriate norms of intellectual property protection.

Keywords

Patents; Trade; Policy; Government and Politics; Business Strategy; Agreements and Arrangements; Alliances; Cross-Cultural and Cross-Border Issues; Pharmaceutical Industry; United States; Japan; Europe

Citation

Paine, Lynn S., and Michael Santoro. "Pfizer: Global Protection of Intellectual Property." Harvard Business School Case 392-073, February 1992. (Revised April 1995.)
  • Educators
  • Purchase

About The Author

Lynn S. Paine

General Management
→More Publications

More from the Authors

    • 10 Jun 2022
    • Faculty Research

    Shareholders vs. Stakeholders: Who Is Winning the Battle for Corporate Governance?

    By: Lynn S. Paine
    • 12 May 2022
    • Faculty Research

    Onboarding

    By: Lynn S. Paine, Julia Hanna and Tosh Barron
    • March 2022
    • Faculty Research

    Transforming Kimball International, Inc. (B)

    By: Lynn S. Paine and Will Hurwitz
More from the Authors
  • Shareholders vs. Stakeholders: Who Is Winning the Battle for Corporate Governance? By: Lynn S. Paine
  • Onboarding By: Lynn S. Paine, Julia Hanna and Tosh Barron
  • Transforming Kimball International, Inc. (B) By: Lynn S. Paine and Will Hurwitz
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College