Intellectual Property and Regulatory Issues at the Nanoscale
SIZE MATTERS - ETHICAL, LEGAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY AND NANO-MEDICINE, Johann S. Ach & Christian Weidemann, eds., pp. 181-194, LIT Verlag Münster, 2008
Posted: 26 Mar 2009 Last revised: 22 Aug 2009
Date Written: May 2, 2008
Abstract
Nanotechnology is not merely some new technology that is drawing huge attention and enormous amounts of investment. It is the unification of most spheres of science and technology with one basic commonality, manipulation at the nanoscale. Though miniaturization already exists in areas like information technology, the ability to converge at the nanoscale is what makes this field both fascinating and controversial. With the rapid commercialization of nanotechnology, issues pertaining to intellectual property and the regulation of this new technology are becoming critical. This paper explores this new technology by analyzing intellectual property implications as well as confronts possible regulatory initiatives.
Keywords: Nanotechnology, Intellectual Property, Regulation
JEL Classification: O34
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation