On the Challenges Facing Patent Pooling in Biotechnology
14 Pages Posted: 18 Aug 2013 Last revised: 22 Feb 2014
Date Written: June 10, 2013
Abstract
The role of patent law and patent practice especially in biotech has gained considerable attention of late as there are concerns that innovative efforts are stifled rather than fostered by intellectual property in the area. In this essay we survey some of the difficulties encountered in biotech when it comes to innovation and we discuss aspects that touch on the efficacy of patent pooling to overcome innovation barriers. In light of a review of the related research literature addressing the area, we find that analogies to other industries and areas of R&D are not insightful. As a result, we conclude that further empirical research and theoretical modeling of patent pooling in biotechnology are needed in order to establish sound policy recommendations.
Keywords: Patent Pools, Research and Development, Innovation, Tacit Knowledge, BioTechnology, Pharamceuticals
JEL Classification: O3, D2
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation