Murashige Kate
Morrison and Foerster, LLP, San Diego, California 92130, USA.
Acad Med. 2002 Dec;77(12 Pt 2):1329-38. doi: 10.1097/00001888-200212001-00004.
Critics of the patent system have argued that rather than promoting the progress of science and the useful arts, the patent system as it exists in the United States and perhaps elsewhere may actually inhibit such progress. Much of the criticism has been focused on patenting of research tools. The author attempts to evaluate the extent of this effect, and to suggest some possible modifications to the patent system to address its shortcomings. She considers the advantages attributed to the patenting system-providing incentives for finance and development and spurring creativity-with the disadvantages perceived by the academic community, including impediments to the communication of research findings and other transaction costs. Also examined are possible options for mitigating these problems, including legislative restrictions of certain subject matter from patentability, or strengthening the criteria used in review of patent applications, especially non-obviousness and utility. In addition, the author discusses potential "post-patent solutions," such as legislative or other restrictions on licensing.
专利制度的批评者认为，美国乃至其他地方现行的专利制度非但没有促进科学和实用技艺的进步，反而实际上可能阻碍了这种进步。大部分批评都集中在研究工具的专利申请上。作者试图评估这种影响的程度，并针对专利制度的缺陷提出一些可能的改进建议。她既考虑了专利制度被认为具有的优点——为融资和研发提供激励并激发创造力，也考虑了学术界所察觉到的缺点，包括研究成果交流的障碍以及其他交易成本。还探讨了缓解这些问题的可能选项，包括对某些主题进行立法限制使其不可专利，或者强化专利申请审查中所使用的标准，尤其是非显而易见性和实用性标准。此外，作者还讨论了潜在的“专利后解决方案”，例如对许可进行立法或其他限制。
