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Intellectual Property Rights

Intellectual property rights such as patents, plant variety protection certificates, trade secrets and other protection instruments strongly influence R&D decisions, particularly those made in the private sector, where the majority of agricultural research is now pursued. ERS collects and summarizes data on the use of intellectual property in agriculture, and analyzes the effects of changing intellectual property policy on research conduct.

Spotlights

Agricultural Biotechnology Intellectual Property Database—This database identifies and describes U.S. utility patents on inventions in biotechnology and other biological processes—with issue dates between 1976 and 2000—that are used in food and agriculture. The database also provides information about the changing ownership of these patents.

Government Patenting and Technology Transfer—This report examines the use of intellectual property by the Government, focusing on the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). ARS uses patenting and licensing as a means of technology transfer. Increased patenting and licensing has not reduced the use of scientific publications.
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