Tag Archives: patent

What universities can and can’t do with their patents

We started an investigation into university IP practice with this question: Should university management of patents be any different from any other owner of patents? The answer we found is “yes.” University patents not only should be different–they clearly are … Continue reading

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When to disclose inventions? Part I. Arizona State

Here is a basic question: When should university-based inventors disclose their inventions to the university administration? This is a remarkably difficult question. Is it when the invention is “made”? If so, what does it mean to “make” an invention? What … Continue reading

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Was Bayh-Dole based on a misconception?

In an article published in 2013, Sean O’Connor argues that Bayh-Dole is the descendant of what he calls “the Biddle Report,” produced in 1947 by Assistant Attorney General John F. Sonnett (with final editing done by David Lloyd Kreeger) in … Continue reading

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We are sure you will adopt this discovery faster now that it comes with a patent and a bureaucrat!

In Farewell to Reason, Paul Feyerabend examines cultural variety and considers the problem of the “objective” claims of science in the broader context of whether any given society consistently benefits from scientific objectivism, given how often science is wrong, how … Continue reading

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Feynman on his patents

Richard Feynman was awarded patents. Here is a recording of an interview that describes how it all came about. You can also read about the episode in Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman? Could be academic inventions are a dime a … Continue reading

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Predators in the Patent System

Stuff is happening in Washington DC, despite the loggerheads on budget and Obamacare. Chris Gallagher sends notice that Sen Hatch has introduced a new bill, SB 1612, “to combat patent trolls” as the press release describes it: WASHINGTON – U.S. … Continue reading

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University of Utah’s Policy on State Control of Research Results

University patent policies these days typically contain a definition of “invention.”  Often they try to conflate copyright and patent matters and introduce a new definition, such as “discovery” or “intellectual property” in an attempt at administrative convenience.  These new definitions … Continue reading

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1962 University of Arizona patent policy allowed inventors to choose their agent

In Neal Stephenson’s Anathem, in an earth-history parallel but someways upside downed from our own, there is an order of “avouts” or knowledge-monks called Lorites. A Lorite is “A member of a Order founded by Saunt Lora, who believed that … Continue reading

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Patent battles and research fragmentation

John Dvorak over at PC Magazine has an interesting comment on the patent battles shaping up in mobile.  His more general observation, however, is what  caught my eye: This whole idea of actual inventions and the monopoly is over. Around … Continue reading

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Shanzhai Rules

Over at the LinkedIn Post-Industrial Design group, there’s a little discussion started by Matt Sinclair on a report called The Future of Open Fabrication from the Institute For the Future. The report calls out the Shanzhai approach to manufacturing in … Continue reading

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