Patents Chilling Effect on Science

cheesedog writes "The American Association for the Advancement of Science recently conducted a survey on the effect of patenting on the sciences. The results are frightening: 1/5th or more of all research projects in the United States are being chilled by patent holders. The sheer amount of research being canceled because of licensing issues is astounding, but at the same time many of these researchers hold their own patents and therefore contribute to the problem."

Comments

Re:Double Edged Sword

[cpt kangarooski]

They were originally set up to expire in 17 years with the option for one renewal.

What the fuck are you talking about? Patent terms in the US were 14 years from issue, then 17 years from issue, then 20 years from filing. No renewals; in fact, you generally have to pay up periodically just to get the full, single, term.

I think you're confusing patents and copyrights (which originally were 14+14 years)

That means that knowledge would be locked down for a maximum of 34 years.

Publication requirements ensure that knowledge isn't 'locked down.' It's not directly usable, perhaps, but it's commonly available.