Electrical and Computer Engineering Publications
Open-source nanotechnology: Solutions to a modern intellectual property tragedy
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2013
Volume
8
Issue
4
Journal
Nano Today
First Page
339
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1016/j.nantod.2013.04.001
Last Page
341
Abstract
Despite being an extremely active area for patent applications, nanotechnology development is being impaired by current intellectual property law. In contrast to other emerging fields at their times, nanotechnology was born as the Bayh-Dole Act enabled universities to lock down fundamental research effectively preventing open competition. Both technical complexity and bureaucratic mishandling of nanotechnology patent applications have created a dense patent thicket of overlapping claims and rights. This intellectual property tragedy restricts downstream innovation by preventing development of more complex technologies due to exorbitant transaction costs. This article addresses this tragedy with the application of the free and open-source paradigm from software development as open-source methodologies will both accelerate nanotechnology innovation and improve the social return from public investment in nanotechnology research. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.