The Role of Intellectual Property Protection in Research

JIC recognises that Intellectual Property Protection (IPP) allows full disclosure of novel information, in return for some protection of the rights of the technology's inventor. IPP therefore encourages inventors to publish information in the public domain. Without an appropriate means of IPP the flow of new information might be restricted in order to protect the competitive/commercial advantage of the inventor. Restriction of information flow is counter to the openness that is an important part of research culture. Indeed, a relatively prompt and unrestricted exchange of knowledge and know-how is essential to maintaining a thriving research community.

JIC also recognises that exploitation of new technology for the benefit of society usually requires the active participation of industry in converting knowledge, produced by the research community, into industrial processes and products. Secure ownership of intellectual property encourages successful partnerships/ agreements with industry that facilitate technology transfer and application.

In the area of IPP the principal of scientific openness must be tempered, in order to avoid 'prior disclosure' of an invention. However, JIC recognises that delays in the publication of results, which may be necessary to ensure IPP, must be kept to a practical minimum in order that science research should continue to flourish.

It is the opinion of JIC that IP has a valuable role in the research environment in:

encouraging the disclosure of research results, that might otherwise be withheld for commercial reasons, and
encouraging the take up and use of new knowledge in the development of new processes and products.

JIC Statement on Intellectual Property