Changing the rules of the game: addressing the conflict between free access to scientific discovery and intellectual property rights.

The article discusses the changes in the provisional patent application (PPA) procedure for the biotechnology industry in the U.S. to solve the obstacles to free access to research findings and intellectual property rights (IPR). The author recommends considering the provisional patented paper applications (PPPA) as an obligatory measure in filing application for patents. She outlines several benefits to those who would submit PPPA upon the compliance of an agreement. She stresses the role of PPPA in tackling secrecy threat which deals with the possibility for potential patentees to reluctantly disclose information.