Lessons Learnt from the Hargreaves Review of IP and Growth

Perspective from one of the Review’s advisory panel.  The submissions to the Review were many and varied and included a large number of references to other material that had to be read and taken into consideration.  The first recommendation in the resulting Report stated that: “Government should ensure that development of the IP System is driven as far as possible by objective evidence. Policy should balance measurable economic objectives against social goals and potential benefits for rights holders against impacts on consumers and other interests.”  Considering the other nine recommendations, did the Report reflect the first recommendation?