Networks

This paper studies mechanism through which intellectual property rights (IPR) protection can inuence the impact of skilled migration on innovation activities in developing countries. We argue that knowledge acquired by emigrants abroad can ow back to their country of origin through diaspora networks. IPR protection in the sending country magni\u85es this e¤ect by increasing the size of the innovation sector, thereby allowing diaspora gains to fall on a larger range of workers. Strong IPR enforcement therefore makes it more likely for brain drain to be transformed into brain gain