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18 Alb. L.J. Sci. & Tech. 381 (2008)
Placing a Glove on the Invisible Hand: How Intellectual Property Rights May Impede Innovation in Energy Research and Development (R&D)

handle is hein.journals/albnyst18 and id is 385 raw text is: PLACING A GLOVE ON THE INVISIBLE HAND: HOW INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS MAY IMPEDE INNOVATION IN ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D) Dr. Benjamin K Sovacool* ABSTRACT Contrary to the impassioned view that strong intellectual property rights always spur innovation, this Article focuses on how a host of intellectual property barriers may impede the diffusion of renewable energy technologies, clean coal systems, and alternative vehicles. High transaction costs, legal and structural problems at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, cognitive biases, anti-competitive patent techniques, and disintegrating government-university-industry partnerships can prevent the innovation and diffusion of clean energy technologies. Quick and decisive action may be warranted to overcome these barriers if greenhouse gas reducing energy systems are to reach commercialization. * Dr. Benjamin K. Sovacool is currently a Research Fellow in the Energy Governance Program at the Centre on Asia and Globalization, part of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University in Blacksburg, VA, where he has taught for the Government and International Affairs Program and the Department of History. Dr. Sovacool recently completed work on a grant from the National Science Found ation's Electric Power Networks Efficiency and Security Program investigating the social impediments to distributed and renewable energy systems. He has also consulted for the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and U.S. Department of Energy's Climate Change Technology Program. His most recent book is an edited volume entitled Energy and American Society-Thirteen Myths, published by Springer in 2007. He holds a Ph.D in Science & Technology Studies from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, an M.A. in Rhetoric from Wayne State University, and a B.A. in Philosophy from John Carroll University. Email: bsovacool@nus.edu.sg.

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