The evolution of patent functions: New trends, main challenges and implications for firm strategy

Recent publications in the field of Intellectual Property (IP) have shown that the previous literature did not grasp how complex patents are. The goal of this paper is to present an overview of all identified functions of patents and of the main strategic implications of such a complex picture. We first survey the main patent functions : innovation protection, functions related to trade and finance, defensive roles, and patent as an input in the innovation process. We then define each function and analyse their main evolution trends in relation with the current environment. We finally identify the strategic implications of each function. We focus on the implications of the newly identified functions and on the interaction between the different functions.Patent ; Intellectual Property ; Strategic Management ; Functions ; Motives to patent

Imitation et contextualisation dans la mise en œuvre des politiques publiques : le cas de la stratégie de l’État français en matière de propriété intellectuelle

Cet article s’intéresse aux politiques publiques en matière d’innovation et de propriété intellectuelle. Il vise à montrer qu’il existe, dans ce domaine, une forme de tension paradoxale entre la volonté des responsables publics d’imiter certains modèles d’inspiration nord-américaine et le souci d’adapter ces modèles aux spécificités du contexte institutionnel national. L’article s’appuie sur l’étude de la mise en place en 2011 d’un nouveau dispositif de valorisation des innovations dit « France Brevets ». La genèse et la mise en œuvre de ce dispositif reflètent l’hybridation croissante entre les secteurs publics et privés, mais aussi l’accélération de l’importation de solutions « génériques » à des problèmes publics d’un contexte national à l’autre. Même si elle demeure expérimentale, l’initiative « France Brevets » reflète une évolution du référentiel de l’action publique focalisée sur la recherche d’une performance mesurable. Cette initiative traduit également une démarche publique de type pragmatique : avec France Brevets, l’État se positionne comme accompagnateur –ou facilitateur– d’un « marché » de la recherche, publique et privée, en pleine mutation.This article deals with public policies in innovation and in intellectual property. It aims to show that there exists a kind of paradoxical tension between the desire of public officials to imitate some american models seen as successful, and the desire to adapt these models to the specific national institutional context. The article is based on the study of the introduction in 2011 of a new organization called “France Brevets“ (Patents France) in favor of innovation and public research. The launch and implementation of this organization reflect the increasing hybridization between the public and private sectors, but also the growing trend to import «generic» solutions to public problems from one national context to another. Although this organization is still experimental, it reflects an real evolution of the public action now focused on finding a measurable performance. This initiative also reflects a pragmatic approach in public policy : through “France Brevets”, the French state seems to play a supporting role and to act as a facilitator in the changing market of public and private research which is changing

HSAF-induced antifungal effects in Candida albicans through ROS-mediated apoptosis

Heat-stable antifungal factor (HSAF) belongs to polycyclic tetramate macrolactams (PTMs), which inhibits many fungal pathogens and is effective in inhibiting Candida albicans (C. albicans). In this study, we found that HSAF induced the apoptosis of C. albicans SC5314 through inducing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nevertheless, we validated the efficacy of HSAF against candidiasis caused by C. albicans in a murine model in vivo,and HSAF significantly improved survival and reduced fungal burden compared to vehicles. A molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was also investigated, revealing the theoretical binding mode of HSAF to the β-tubulin of C. albicans. This study first found PTMs-induced fungal apoptosis through ROS accumulation in C. albicans and its potential as a novel agent for fungicides

A new 3MW ECRH system at 105 GHz for WEST

The aim of the WEST experiments is to master long plasma pulses (1000s) and expose ITER-like tungsten wall to deposited heat fluxes up to 10 MW/m$^2$. To increase the margin to reach the H-Mode and to control W-impurities in the plasma, the installation of an upgraded ECRH heating system, with a gyrotron performance of 1MW/1000s per unit, is planned in 2023. With the modifications of Tore Supra to WEST, simulations at a magnetic field B$_0$∼3.7T and a central density n$_{e0}$∼6 × 10$^{19}$ m$^{−3}$ show that the optimal frequency for central absorption is 105 GHz. For this purpose, a 105 GHz/1MW gyrotron (TH1511) has been designed at KIT in 2021, based on the technological design of the 140 GHz/1.5 MW (TH1507U) gyrotron for W7-X. Currently, three units are under fabrication at THALES. In the first phase of the project, some of the previous Tore Supra Electron Cyclotron (EC) system components will be re-installed and re-used whenever possible. This paper describes the studies performed to adapt the new ECRH system to 105 GHz and the status of the modifications necessary to re-start the system with a challenging schedule

Operating a full tungsten actively cooled tokamak: overview of WEST first phase of operation

WEST is an MA class superconducting, actively cooled, full tungsten (W) tokamak, designed to operate in long pulses up to 1000 s. In support of ITER operation and DEMO conceptual activities, key missions of WEST are: (i) qualification of high heat flux plasma-facing components in integrating both technological and physics aspects in relevant heat and particle exhaust conditions, particularly for the tungsten monoblocks foreseen in ITER divertor; (ii) integrated steady-state operation at high confinement, with a focus on power exhaust issues. During the phase 1 of operation (2017–2020), a set of actively cooled ITER-grade plasma facing unit prototypes was integrated into the inertially cooled W coated startup lower divertor. Up to 8.8 MW of RF power has been coupled to the plasma and divertor heat flux of up to 6 MW m−2 were reached. Long pulse operation was started, using the upper actively cooled divertor, with a discharge of about 1 min achieved. This paper gives an overview of the results achieved in phase 1. Perspectives for phase 2, operating with the full capability of the device with the complete ITER-grade actively cooled lower divertor, are also described

L'apport des approches évolutionnistes à l'analyse du rôle du brevet dans la stratégie technologique des entreprises : illustration par le cas des entreprises du secteur des NTIC

After a brief reminder of the potential role of patents in the technological strategy of firms, we relativize this role with regard to the contributions of evolutionary economic theories. This leads us to broaden the perspective beyond the search for the most efficient way to protect new technologies to include the protection/diffusion dilemma in the proposed model. We then show that the different basic strategies can be "amended" and/or combined to obtain a potentially superior result. This choice model is then tested and refined through the study of strategies followed by companies in the ICT sector.Après un bref rappel du rôle potentiel du brevet dans la stratégie technologique des entreprises, nous relativisons ce rôle au regard des apports des théories économiques évolutionnistes. Cela nous amène à élargir l’optique au-delà de la recherche du moyen le plus efficace de protection des nouvelles technologies pour intégrer au modèle proposé le dilemme protection/diffusion. Nous montrons ensuite que les différentes stratégies de base peuvent être « amendées » et/ou combinées pour obtenir un résultat potentiellement supérieur. Ce modèle de choix est ensuite testé et affiné grâce à l’étude de stratégies suivies par les entreprises du secteur des NTIC