Global influence is contested in a number of different economic, environmental and political spheres

There are several tensions over physical resources where powers disagree about who owns them and who can use them. Other sources of tension are due to counterfeiting (both tangible and intangible).

Some Resources are Contested Because…

• The land border between two countries is in dispute
• The ownership of landmass is in dispute
• The extent of a nation's offshore exclusive economic zone is in dispute or is claimed by another nation
  • Exclusive economic zone: The area of ocean extending 200 nautical miles beyond the coastline over which a nation controls the sea and sub-sea resources. Decided by the UN in an event of a dispute

Intellectual Property Rights

A global system of IP has been run since 1967 by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) → Part of the UN

• Ensures TNCs, individuals and government agencies can protect new inventions, trademarks, artistic works and trade secrets from use by others It is important because:

• Without IP, innovations and ideas can be stolen and used by others

• It could be a huge disincentive to innovate and invent

• The costs of developing new medicines or communication technologies could not be recouped through selling products if others could simply copy the idea

IP Has Also Been Criticised

• IP requires users of a product to pay fees to the inventor which is a cost to developing countries

• IP holders do not have a duty to make a new invention available, in theory they could prevent a new medicine being made

• The system can create a monopoly in which the inventor can make changes to a product and ∴ deny it from some people on the basis of price Well Known to Occur in Asia

• In 2011, 22 fake Apple stores were found in China

Sphere of Influence

Spheres of influence can be contested = tensions over territory and physical resources. Can sometimes lead to conflict Such disputes frequently flair up because:

• The balance of power changes
• Disputed territories are visited by high level officials in order to 'claim' the area
• Military presence in the area such as flying over close to disputed territory
• New resources are discovered or at least suspected to be in an area