Intellectual property rights (IPRs) are being introduced or strengthened in developing countries as a result of international agreements such as the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) of the World Trade Organization (WTO). This study conducted a web-based survey to gain perspective on the impact of IPRs to public research institutions in developing countries and how these institutions have responded to IPR developments. Specifically, this survey collected information from research directors (n = 43) of public research organizations in India, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. Overall, this study strongly indicates that research administrators in the five countries are positive towards IPRs and the implementation of measures to build their institutional IPR management capacities. They have also started to build their IPR structures and procedures by setting up IP policies and offices, but strengthening is needed, particularly in the area of technology commercialization. This research serves as a reference for international institutions interested in and/or evaluating capacity programs allowing them to craft projects that can better foster the importance of IP management to these and similar institutes in the developing world. (Contains 7 tables and 2 figures.)