It is proposed that the patent law be revised to imitate the copyright law with regard to definition of subject matter for patent. This would accommodate new classes of subject matter not foreseen at the time of the law's passage, such as microorganisms. Available at 1303 San Jacinto, Houston, TX 77002; $5.83. (MSE)

Because of their special mission, colleges and universities have unique patent concerns that warrant detailed exploration, particularly regarding ownership of patent rights on inventions developed on campus under federal contracts and grants. Rights and concerns of the inventor, the university, and financial sponsors are outlined. (Author/LBH)

Increased university efforts to help faculty members transfer the results of their research from the laboratory to the marketplace are posing ethical dilemmas for both institutions and scholars. Stanford's Office of Technology Licensing is cited, as are biotechnology developments, and secrecy and competitiveness issues. (LB)

Legal questions involving conveyance of university-developed technology to the marketplace are becoming an increasing problem. This article discusses issues of intellectual property, including: university policies of ownership; faculty copyrights; university partnerships with the federal government; hidden costs of aggressive protection; and…

Examined are elements that complicate the relationship between tort law and intellectual property licensing (patents): governmental regulation of products, legal standards, the evolution of tort doctrine, international law and practice, trademark, technology and patent licensing. Available from P.O. Box 2600, Arlington, VA 22202. (MSE)

Information on patents is provided for librarians and laypersons requiring an understanding of the system and the processes involved. Chapter 1 discusses successful patents; terms and concepts; patent types; copyright; trademark; requirements; patent examiners; patent pending; expiration; patentee and assignee; and reissued patents. Chapter 2…

Brief updates are presented regarding institutional patent arrangements and whether an institution, individual, or government owns a patent; the decision of the American Association for the Advancement of Science not to hold its convention in non-ERA-ratified states; and the impact of the Carter Administration budget on VA biomedical research.…

Intellectual property issues affecting the use of university research results include faculty reluctance to discuss research before publication, retention of patent rights, faculty consulting ethics, commercial success, and financial support. (Journal availability: 1155 E. 60th St., Chicago, IL 60637, $1.00.) (MSE)

Argues that the proposals regarding patenting which are included in the international Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) will strengthen existing trade monopolies and adversely influence technology diffusion between the northern and southern hemisphere. Notes that such an outcome could diminish market…

The recent increased awareness of the importance to our economy of innovation and the development of new technologies has been coupled with the crafting of new legislation to increase the level of intellectual property protection available to innovators. Because one of the key methods of encouraging the efficient use of intellectual property is…

As a result of actual and anticipated growth in the level of entrepreneurial activities within the University of Maryland System (UMS), and corresponding growth in licensing and royalty revenues, a threshold policy was recommended in the Joint Chairmen's Report of 1996. Such a policy would establish a maximum threshold beyond which a portion of…

Statements and testimony from four major and eight additional witnesses comprise these 1981 hearings. David Ladd, Register of Copyrights and Associate Librarian for Copyright Services, reports on the functions and administrative operations of the Copyright Office since the new copyright law came into effect in 1978. The functions of the Patents…

Specific reference is made in the Constitution of the United States to the need for protection of intellectual property rights. Later, Madison explored the problem again in the "Federalist" and in a letter to Thomas Jefferson. The present-day argument against protection of these individual rights is not directed against the government's…

Considers the value issues raised by the commercial ties formed between university scientists and commercial corporations. Presents arguments for and against patents on the results of university research. Compares cases involving an independent inventor, groups of industrial researchers, and university researchers. (ML)

This study examined university technology transfer in Maryland in terms of three issues: (1) the economic impact of university technology transfer; (2) a comparison of the technology transfer effort of University of Maryland System (UMS) institutions with other regional and "best practice" institutions; and (3) the technology transfer…