Study finds patent systems may discourage innovation...

(PhysOrg.com) -- "A new study challenges the traditional view that patents foster innovation, suggesting instead that they may hinder technological progress, economic activity and societal wealth. These results could have important policy implications, because many countries count on patent systems to spur new technology and promote economic growth."

Given the amount of emphasis that is put on IP and patent protection, this is an interesting study.  Apparently the open source community is having a profund impact on the development of "communities" to enhance R&D.

Read the Article: http://www.physorg.com/news167929968.html

Comments

[William Milam]

I can see the patent system hindering innovation. IMHO, the system is definitely broken. Too many frivolous patents are filed and too many are approved. See info below ( In 2006, the patent office received 443,652 patent applications, but only 183,187 were issued that year.” 183,187/443,652 = 41%. (Joyce Smith, Business Columnist, “Seeing your invention through: Entrepreneur week helps highlight some success stories of those who dream big,” Kansas City Star, February 27, 2007)

For more patent statistics, please see the link below:
http://www.inventionstatistics.com/Innovation_Risk_Taking_Inventors.html