The Battle over Patents
History and Politics of Innovation
Naomi R Lamoreaux editor Stephen H Haber editor
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Oxford University Press Inc
Published:22nd Nov '21
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Hardback£93.00(9780197576151)
An examination of how the patent system works, imperfections and all, to incentivize innovation Do patents facilitate or frustrate innovation? Lawyers, economists, and politicians who have staked out strong positions in this debate often attempt to validate their claims by invoking the historical record--but they frequently get the history wrong. The Battle over Patents gets it right. Bringing together thoroughly researched essays from prominent historians and social scientists, this volume traces the long and contentious history of patents and examines how they have worked in practice. Editors Stephen H. Haber and Naomi R. Lamoreaux show that patent systems are the result of contending interests at different points in production chains battling over economic surplus. The larger the potential surplus, the more extreme are the efforts of contending parties-now and in the past-to search out, generate, and exploit any and all sources of friction. Patent systems, as human creations, are therefore necessarily ridden with imperfections. This volume explores these shortcomings and explains why, despite all the debate, historically US-style patent systems still dominate all other methods of encouraging inventive activity.
This new collection of eight essays fills a gap in the scholarship on patent history during the industrial era. The work brings together scholars whose expertise includes law, economics, business, science and technology, political science, and history.... This cohesive published result of their careful collective discussion explores the historical battle over the role that patents play in encouraging innovative activities.... In sum, the essays show the importance of patent law in the modern economic system. Recommended. * CHOICE *
In a new series of essays, The Battle Over Patents, 10 economists, historians and lawyers make a compelling case that patents remain the best, if imperfect, way of rewarding inventors and disseminating knowledge. * Financial Times *
ISBN: 9780197576168
Dimensions: 234mm x 159mm x 23mm
Weight: 567g
392 pages