Economic Empirical Study On Copyright Parallel Import

Parallel import, with the relational theory about Exhaustion of Exclusive Rights, is one of the hot spot in study of both international trade and intellectual property right law. Parallel important is especially easy to arise on goods with copyrights due to the characteristic of copyright. This thesis attempts to discuss parallel import and Exhaustion theory in both empirical and theoretical methods of microeconomics. The thesis introduces the two basic theories about parallel import, i.e., regionally theory and Exhaustion theory, then analyses the change in market and welfare caused by parallel importation as well as the way of influence. The most important empirical study consists of two parts. In first part of EU judicatory study, more than ten cases concerned judged by ECJ are classified, followed with economic analysis. In the second part of New Zealand market study, market status quo in three copyright industries after legalization of parallel import is compared with status quo ante. There is few value judgement but more substantial evidence with conclusion in the thesis, which means to it emphasizes "what"and "why". The innovation of this thesis consists in selecting of particular objects, drawing conclusion from plenty of evidence then analyzing economic meaning and actual effects of parallel import policy. Following conclusions may be drawn: Parallel import impacts the economic welfare of a country in uncertain way; the policy on parallel importation of goods concerning copyright depends on certain economic environment and, simultaneously, the commercial usufruct of copyright works must be protected, which means Exhaustion of Exclusive Rights does not apply. After all, the policy of parallel import subjects to the balance of economic welfare.