GOOD GOVERNANCE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS OF RAJABHAT UNIVERSITIES IN THE NORTHERN REGIONAL GROUP OF THAILAND

Abstract

This article examines the problems and policy recommendations concerning the management of intellectual property rights of Rajabhat Universities in the Northern Regional Group of Thailand. The analysis is conducted within the framework of public law and good governance, including an assessment of its consistency with the principles of fairness and legal legitimacy. The findings reveal that, although Thailand has established a clear legal framework such as the Copyright Act, the Patent Act, and the Research and Innovation Utilization Promotion Act B.E. 2564 (2021) the implementation at Rajabhat Universities in the Northern Region still faces specific limitations. These include: 1) significant variations in internal regulations among universities and the absence of common standards, resulting in ambiguity in the ownership of rights between researchers and universities; 2) inconsistent and non-uniform benefit-sharing arrangements, with some institutions determining allocations primarily by administrative discretion without a unified framework; 3) the lack of systematic mechanisms for information disclosure and oversight, such as the non-disclosure of revenue-sharing schemes or unclear criteria for rights allocation; and 4) limitations in the capacity of intellectual property management units, which affect the efficiency of technology transfer.  Furthermore, from the perspective of good governance, deficiencies are evident in terms of transparency, accountability, and stakeholder participation. Researchers, as primary creators, often face limited access to information and insufficient involvement in policy-making, which undermines incentives for innovation and the effective utilization of research outputs.  This article proposes that the system of intellectual property rights management should be restructured by: 1) improving internal regulations to ensure clarity and developing common standards at the regional level; 2) establishing fair, transparent, and comparable benefit-sharing mechanisms; 3) enhancing participation of researchers and relevant stakeholders; and 4) strengthening the capacity of intellectual property management units to ensure professional and efficient operations