The Ethical Considerations for a New Model of Intellectual Property Protection under Sharia Law Principles in the GCC States

This chapter will discuss the ethical considerations for a new model of intellectual property protection under sharia law principles in the GCC states. It will identify key sharia law principles to show that there are three key stages in the development of intellectual property in the GCC states; a foundation stage, a development stage and an advanced stage. The ethical considerations for a new Islamic model of intellectual property protection under sharia law principles in the GCC states will focus on the foundation stage and will show how intellectual property is justifiable under sharia law. The findings of the chapter will inform the content of the key research outcomes around; developing an integrated approach to intellectual property in the GCC and progressing from the foundation stage to a development stage that incorporates ethical sharia principles with western style intellectual property provisions to transform the Islamic economy beyond Islamic finance.