Intellectual property as a factor in the recovery of the European economy after the First World War

Abstract

Intellectual property (IP) played a crucial role in fostering innovation after World War I. Patents and copyrights provided inventors with motivation to develop new products and technologies, contributing to economic growth. This legal protection enabled small and medium enterprises to compete with larger companies by securing market positions and stimulating diversification and job creation. Strong IP protection also attracted both domestic and foreign investments, as investors were assured their innovations were safeguarded from unauthorized use, spurring research and development. International trade benefited from robust IP laws, facilitating the export of new technologies and products, aiding economic recovery, and global integration. Governments enacted laws to protect IP, fostering an environment conducive to innovation. Copyrights promoted cultural and scientific development by ensuring authors and researchers were rewarded, encouraging further projects. The historical experience of Europe's post-WWI economic recovery offers valuable lessons for modern Ukraine, demonstrating how IP can drive innovation, attract investments, and support entrepreneurship in post-conflict recovery.