to requirements of national security) the technological 

 interdependence of nations. 



Concerns of U.S. Business Management 



Many U.S. industrial managers support a relatively 

 open policy in technology transfer as in foreign trade, 

 probably on the ground that opportunities for exports 

 and for earning income from manufacturing abroad 

 through subsidiaries, joint ventures, or licensing of 

 know-how offset the competitive threat. Indeed, some 

 U.S. companies can only remain competitive at home and 

 abroad by conducting certain activities abroad to keep 

 costs down. 



On one basic issue of technology transfer, U.S. 

 business management seems united. It emphasizes that 

 legally established private rights to intellectual 

 property should be respected, and that the U.S. 

 government should seek increased understanding and 

 recognition that this concept has value for all 

 nations. A 1976 report by a task force of the Chamber 

 of Commerce of the United states, "Technology Transfer 

 and the Developing Countries," is illustrative of the 

 U.S. business position: 



Positions currently being put forward by the 

 Group of 77 will impede, rather than 

 encourage, the transfer of technology by 

 raising serious questions of legality, ethics 

 and equity to the extent that we call upon all 

 responsible governments to revise these 

 positions in accordance with the following 

 criteria: 



1) The ownership of technology, whether 

 acquired for value or developed 

 under costly and uncertain 

 conditions, constitutes a property 

 interest. When shared, it is 

 entitled to recognition and 

 protection along with any other 

 property interest. 



2) The sharing of technology normally 

 takes place through voluntary 

 contractual agreements between 

 owners and prospective users. 



3) Agreements to share technology 

 should take place within a framework 

 of due recognition and protection by 

 countries where the technology is to 



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