Introduction

This book examines the notion and understanding of innovation and knowledge societies as they particularly apply to the Gulf states and their broad range of communities. Key to this examination will be the role that intellectual property - its promotion and protection – plays in fostering both innovation and the knowledge society. In brief, innovation, knowledge, society, emerging technology, economic growth and intellectual property are intertwined and inseparable. Unique to the GCC, is the constitutional significance of Islamic Law and the book discusses intellectual property growth in line with economic developments in the region and reflects on Islamic Finance Law.