• Question: Do you have any patents on any of the work you have produced?

    Asked by bmurphy95 to Becky, Carrie, Kelly, Robin, Usaid on 14 Mar 2012.
    • Photo: Becky Selwyn

      Becky Selwyn answered on 14 Mar 2012:

      Sadly not, but I’m at the very start of my career so have plenty of time yet! I spend a lot of time looking at patents other people have got for work similar to mine and then testing their ideas and seeing whether I can make improvements.

    • Photo: Robin Stafford Allen

      Robin Stafford Allen answered on 14 Mar 2012:

      Yes I have three. These are shared with the company I was working for at the time which is fair as they were paying me to invent the things I did. They do not in themselves earn me any money though, just protect the ideas for a few years to stop others just copying your idea.

Comments

  • Photo: Ken

    Ken commented on :

    @bmurphy95: You might want to look at almost the same question which was asked in the Water Zone. While patents can sometimes make an individual or company very rich, at the same time, they can stop essential things from getting to people who need them. Look particularly at drugs (retrovirals) used to treat HIV/AIDS patients. Then look at things that are designed by people working in the United Nations, and how they are not allowed to be patented – and why not.

  • Photo: Robin

    Robin commented on :

    @murphy: Yes Patents can have a negative as well as a positve effect. It is said that the motor industry bought up all the patents on Steam cars in the 80s and 90s to prevent them threatening their industry. On the other hand you must encourage experimentation and invention and help to protect the right of the inventor to make use of his invention without having others just take it immediatley. Patents are only valid for a few years. Regards Robin