Abstract :
Intellectual property rights normally arise as a side effect from a research and development programme and it is unusual to launch such a programme with the sole object of generating IPR. Here, through the use of various examples, the author illustrates both the negative and positive aspects of IPR licencing. He shows that on the negative side, it requires much patience, effort and expenditure to produce licensing income even from an outstanding development but on the positive side, potentially a very large income can be generated and/or other objects such as the limitation of unwanted imports can be attained.