Is University Patenting
Technology-Specific?
Dan L. Burk
University of California, Irvine
Mark A. Lemley
Stanford University
Economic Models
• Arrovian Competition
– Against intellectual monopolies
• Cumulative Innovation
– Limited exclusivity
• Prospect Theory
– Resource coordination
• Congestion Theories
– Thickets and anti-commons
Innovation Profiles
• Differing Constraints
– Type of product
– Development costs
– Product life cycles
• Sectoral Examples
– Pharmaceuticals
– Software
– Semiconductors
Patent Policy Levers
• PHOSITA provisions
– Non-obviousness
– Disclosure
• Injunctive Relief
– NPE hold-up
– Equitable factors
• Macro and micro levers
– By industry or by case
Biotech Innovation
• Prototypical Tech Transfer
• Economic profile
• Alternative Incentives
– Reputational
– Scientific Norms
– Tenure
– Grant Funding
Tailoring Tech Transfer
• Time of Transfer
– Invention vs. Innovation
– Development stages
• “Gold Rush” Mentality
– Patent lottery
• Patent Rehabilitation
– Alternate policy lever regimes
– Ameliorating Bayh-Dole
Questions and Comments
Thank You