1. Technology Licensing: Lessons From the US Experience.
- Author
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Sobolski, Gregory K., Barton, John H., and Emanuel, Ezekiel J.
- Subjects
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PATENT law , *RESEARCH institutes , *TRADEMARK licenses , *LICENSE agreements , *INTELLECTUAL property , *ECONOMIC development , *TECHNOLOGICAL innovations , *PATENTS ,DEVELOPING countries - Abstract
The article analyzes the U.S. licensing experience longitudinally, discussing policy implications, addressing emerging trends specifically among developing nations, and suggesting that royalty revenue-driven technology licensing in developing countries is the wrong public policy to adopt. Enactment of the Patent and Trademark Law Amendments Act in 1980 encouraged research institutions in the U.S. to patent technology developed with federal funding. This enabled substantial growth in patenting. The article explores the effects of the act in licensing at U.S. research institutions. A detailed examination of licensing patterns among U.S. institutions reveals four broad institutional categories. Investment in patents and licensing programs has certain advantages, such as encouraging development of technology and innovation. But earning licensing income from academic research is neither a lucrative nor a reliable financial investment. It is unlikely that scientific centers in developing countries would prove more likely or capable or producing readily commercial technologies than those in the U.S. The article suggests that efforts to transfer technology and foster economic growth in developing countries ought to be encouraged, but emphasis on licensing programs may prove to be financially unproductive.
- Published
- 2005
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