LABORATORY MANAGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

Intellectual property (IP) rights refer to property rights in the inte llectual creations of inventors and artists. Some IP rights are sancti oned by the Constitution as an economic incentive to stimulate innovat ion. Other intellectual property rights are judicially created to prot ect and promote ethical commercial activities. Societal benefits and c osts are inherent to each. This paper reviews fundamental aspects of I P protection and the costs and benefits which inure to both the invent or and society. practical guidelines will be provided for managing the day to day operations of a laboratory to maximize IP rights derived f rom research endeavors.