220 Int. J. Intellectual Property Management, Vol. 4, No. 4, 2011 Copyright © 2011 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. How agricultural biotechnology scientists perceive intellectual property rights (IPRs) and their implications: insights from developing Asia Jane Payumo* Washington State University, 1610 NE Eastgate Blvd., Suite 650, Pullman, WA, USA E-mail: Jpayumo4@wsu.edu *Corresponding author Howard Grimes Washington State University, French Ad 324, Pullman, WA, USA E-mail: grimes@wsu.edu Keith Jones Washington State University, 1610 NE Eastgate Blvd., Suite 650, Pullman, WA, USA E-mail: jonesk@wsu.edu Abstract: This paper presents the results of a web-survey of scientists and researchers from India, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, conducted to measure their awareness, attitudes and perspectives towards the new intellectual property rights (IPRs) paradigm in agriculture. Results indicate that respondents are aware on IPR and its features and have openness in answering IPR-related questions despite the current ambiguity and debate surrounding IPRs in public sector research. They also understand global policy trends and some of the risk factors involved. However, they need to have more exposure to, and training on, the use of the different IPR instruments. Interestingly, respondents disclosed that even with expanding IPR in agriculture, they did not have problems accessing new biological materials and genetic resources from local and international research centres. Results can serve as important reference for institutions implementing IP capability programmes for better appreciation of the importance of IPR for public research institutions. Keywords: agricultural biotechnology; scientists; intellectual property; IP; intellectual property rights; IPR; survey; public sector; Asia. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Payumo, J., Grimes, H. and Jones, K. (2011) ‘How agricultural biotechnology scientists perceive intellectual property rights (IPRs) and their implications: insights from developing Asia’, Int. J. Intellectual Property Management, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp.220–238.