Vermont, S (Vermont, Samson) Independent invention as a defense to patent infringement MICHIGAN LAW REVIEW, 105 (3): 475-504 DEC 2006

[Eugene Garfield]

Email Address: svermont at gmu.edu

Author(s): Vermont, S (Vermont, Samson) 

Title: Independent invention as a defense to patent infringement 

Source: MICHIGAN LAW REVIEW, 105 (3): 475-504 DEC 2006 

Language: English 

Document Type: Article 

Keywords Plus: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; INFORMATION COSTS; INNOVATION; 
ECONOMICS; RIGHTS; UNCERTAINTY; PORTFOLIOS; SCIENCE; RENTS; RACES 

Abstract: Under current law, independent invention is no defense to patent 
infringement. This Article argues that independent invention should be a 
defense, provided the independent inventor creates the invention before 
receiving actual or constructive notice that someone else already created 
it. The defense reduces wasteful duplication of effort and enhances 
dissemination of inventions without lowering the incentive to invent below 
the necessary minimum. To be sure, the defense lowers the incentive for 
inventions that face significant odds of being invented by more than one 
inventor By enabling a second inventor to compete with a first inventor 
the defense essentially breaks up the first inventor's patent monopoly 
into a duopoly. Monopoly profits exceed the collective profits of duopoly. 
Thus, from the perspective of inventors ex ante the defense reduces the 
expected profit for inventions that could be invented by more than one 
inventor This Article argues, however that the reduction in expected 
profit is moderate and that the reduced expected profit is generally 
sufficient. Per Bayes' theorem, the fact that an invention could be 
invented by more than one inventor is itself evidence that a moderately 
reduced expected profit will still motivate at least one inventor to 
create the invention without inefficient delay. 

Addresses: George Mason Univ, Sch Law, Fairfax, VA 22030 USA 

Reprint Address: Vermont, S, George Mason Univ, Sch Law, Fairfax, VA 22030 
USA. 

Cited Reference Count: 66 

Times Cited: 5 

Publisher: MICH LAW REV ASSN 

Publisher Address: HUTCHINS HALL 621 SOUTH STATE STREET, ANN ARBOR, MI 
48109 USA 

ISSN: 0026-2234 

29-char Source Abbrev.: MICH LAW REV 

ISO Source Abbrev.: Mich. Law Rev. 

Source Item Page Count: 30 

Subject Category: Law 

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