Title: Managing joint R&D: an investigation into joint patent applications in Japan, USA and Europe

Authors: Toshio Hashimoto; Yoshitoshi Tanaka; Angela Adrian

Addresses: Department of Technology Management, Graduate School of Innovation Management, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 3-3-6 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0023, Japan ' Department of Technology Management, Graduate School of Innovation Management, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 3-3-6 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0023, Japan ' School of Law and Justice, Southern Cross University, Military Road, P.O. Box 157, East Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia

Abstract: This research focuses on joint patent applications which have been produced from joint research and development (R&D) collaborations. There has been limited past research in this area. This research compares and analyses joint patent applications from Japan, USA and Europe, clarifying the differences and features for successful joint R&D through statistical analysis between these regions. The most important factors are the field of technology, the situation of cooperation, the difference of patent law and its practice in each region, the conditions of the joint R&D agreement, and the strategy for joint R&D. A conclusion will be drawn: the more advantageous the regulation of co-owned patents is, the greater the number of joint patent applications is filed in that country's patent office.

Keywords: joint R&D; research and development; joint patents; patent applications; patent law; co-ownership; intellectual property rights; IPR; licensing; assignment; Japan; USA; United States; Europe; research collaboration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTTC.2012.052420

International Journal of Technology Transfer and Commercialisation, 2012 Vol.11 No.3/4, pp.137 - 155

Received: 13 Sep 2012
Accepted: 13 Sep 2012
Published online: 21 Nov 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article