tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977297931731346524.post2609728167111886641..comments2024-03-26T13:13:25.033-04:00Comments on Written Description: Fighting Over Green Patents: How To Appease China & India Without Hurting U.S. BusinessLisa Larrimore Ouellettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18401005012430355377noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2977297931731346524.post-47055431613421013222011-02-18T18:29:37.345-05:002011-02-18T18:29:37.345-05:00It was interesting talking about this to a diverse...It was interesting talking about this to a diverse group of people today. Summarizing the reactions:<br /><br />Scientists: Wow, that's interesting, and I've never thought about any of this - I think you're right that scientists should think more about how their research is commercialized.<br /><br />Venture capitalists: This makes no sense - exclusive patent licenses are ALWAYS necessary for commercialization of any worthwhile ideal. Why would someone accept a nonexclusive license?<br /><br />Research director from a small energy company: This is exactly right - we have encountered many problems from university tech transfer offices that want exorbitant payments for every innovation. And we just want to use these good ideas - we don't need the patents.<br /><br />Tech transfer officer: Incentives for tech transfer officers vary widely. Wealthier schools can afford to think about promoting access like this, but many schools are looking to their tech transfer offices to make money.<br /><br />I think everyone I talked with was willing to agree that universities (and other recipients of federal research grants) should only patent when the patent is necessary for commercialization, and the main disagreement was over where you draw that line. The problem is that there is very little empirical evidence on this. My starting premise is that patents create deadweight loss and inefficiencies, so we do not want to grant them unless there is evidence that they are needed to incentivize innovation or commercialization. But people with different starting assumptions come to different conclusions.Lisa Larrimore Ouellettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18401005012430355377noreply@blogger.com