Intellectual Property Challenges: Unshackling Innovation

Abstract

Last year I was co‐investigator on an award winning research project that sought to improve sustainable energy technology. Our project optimized dye‐sensitized solar cells, which are cheaper and more environmentally friendly than traditional solar cells. We discovered that adding a certain material results in approximately a 10% increase in efficiency. Although I would like to, I cannot share any more details because of intellectual property issues. This seems odd considering the intent of the project; however, it is a common and valid concern for researchers because of current intellectual property law. An inventor has no claim to an invention until it is patented. The expense of patenting forces people to hoard their ideas even if they do not want the patents for themselves. Though ideas could benefit society, inventors must conceal them lest a greedy entity patent them and prevent their free use. To remedy this problem I propose the establishment of an institution that would pay for patent applications, provided that after the patent is granted only a minimal fee is charged for use of the patent. This fee would compensate the inventors reasonably, pay upkeep costs of the institution and possibly fund a grant agency. This would encourage innovation by allowing free exchange of ideas without fear of intellectual robbery or loss of credit to the inventor, facilitating more productive and expedient research. The institution would afford society virtually free use of technologies with the consent of the inventor, making widespread implementation of new technologies more feasible.