Innovation, policy, and law

Innovation is widely held to be a central concern of economic policy and a key element in the transformation of the economy. But what drives innovation and who captures its benefits? What contribution does the law make? This book illustrates the connections between innovation, policy and law and shows the ways in which the law can work as a key instrument of innovation policy. It assesses the role which law plays in stimulating innovation and capturing its benefits for particular firms and nations. An integrated, interdisciplinary study, the book considers the ways in which the legal framework for facilitating and managing new technologies has developed. As well as canvassing broad theoretical issues, the book presents a number of case studies. These include - intellectual property: patents and living organisms; copyright and computer software; - competition and trade: competition law and foreign investment review; the effects of licensing and collaboration; and - government sponsorship and entrepreneurship: direct grants and tax concessions; telecommunications licensing. American, European, Japanese and Australian developments are appraised in an international context. Innovation, policy and law examines issues in public and industrial policy from the viewpoint of legal studies. It will be of interest to readers in science and technology studies as well as to legal professionals and those in government, the public sector and industry.