Is it possible to combine the requirements of open access with the hope that the research will lead to valuable patents? Yes, but it requires that both researchers and funders plan in advance, according to the experts the Swedish Research Council Journal Curie talked to.
The debate on open access in research has mostly focused on that the articles should not be locked up behind pay walls, but should be possible to read for free online. But recently, the issue of open access to research data has been more noticed , and in the future this may be a requirement from funders Research Council.
But what about the possibility to protect research with patents if it becomes mandatory to publish research data openly?
– That which you seek a patent on must be new. If you have already published your research – no matter how – then you’ve ruined your ability to obtain patents, notes Patent and Registration Authority Director Susanne Ås Sivborg.
Read more in Curie (Swedish Only):
http://www.tidningencurie.se/22/nyheter/nyheter/2013-02-26-tank-pa-patent-innan-du-publicerar.html
