New York Governor George Pataki '67 (left) and President Richard C. Levin are shown here at a reception they co-hosted at the World Economic Forum in New York City.

Levin discusses patent law in meetings with leaders

In recent weeks, President Richard C. Levin shared his views on intellectual property laws with both national and international officials. Levin, a specialist in the economics of technological change, testified on Feb. 6 in Washington, D.C., at the joint hearings on "Competition and Intellectual Property Law" held by the Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice. The primary focus of the hearings is to examine the implications of competition and patent law and policy for innovation and other aspects of consumer welfare. Levin described the work of the National Academies' committee on "Intellectual Property Rights in the Knowledge-Based Economy," which he co-chairs. That committee, the President explained, has sponsored conferences and private meetings with individuals around the world investigating "the broad economic impact of changes in patent law and administration over the past century." He also offered a few "personal observations." Levin pointed out, for example, that there is widespread concern about the quality of patents issues in newly emerging areas of technology. "There are potentially serious consequences of a low threshold for patenting in emerging technology areas," Levin said. "A patent, after all, grants an exclusive right, and in some cases it can confer power in product and innovation markets. We should be wary of creating unwarranted market power by granting unwarranted patents." He also recommended that private organizations that set licensing and patent-pooling standards in such fields as computer networking, telecommunications and related technologies "should be subject to appropriately clear, specific and well-crafted antitrust guidelines." At the conclusion of his testimony, Levin noted: "Innovation is alive and well in the American economy. ... Our open, entrepreneurial economy, fueled by vigorous and effective capital markets, translates the results of scientific advance into industrial innovation. Intellectual property rights pays a significant role in this process by protecting the returns to innovation, just as antitrust enforcement preserves competition and protects consumers from abuses of power." Levin addressed other aspects of the protection -- and sharing -- of technological innovations as leader of a workshop on "Intellectual Property Rights and Global Poverty" at the World Economic Forum held in New York City Jan. 21-Feb. 4. He also was a key participant in a discussion exploring "The Global Evolution of Education" and co-hosted a reception with New York Governor George Pataki '67 B.A. Other University administrators and faculty members who spoke at the World Economic Forum were Yale School of Management Dean Jeffrey E. Garten, environmental law specialist Daniel Esty, foreign policy expert Paul J. Kennedy and economist Jean Lanjouw. T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S SOM competition to help nonprofits Student wins chance to meet Nobel laureates NYT reporter explains politics of science Astronomers suggest that 'slow dance' between black holes may power quasars Levin discusses patent law in meetings with leaders Burns' talks about Mark Twain and the American spirit Innovations make the 'impractical' possible, says economist Renowned journalist Tom Friedman to visit as Poynter Fellow Talks by author Rushdie to explore changed nature of frontiers ENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPS Panel to probe questions surrounding Enron's collapse Conference pays tribute to judge who was committed to racial justice Trustee Barrington D. Parker sworn in to federal court Aboard the Cultural Caravan Exhibition honors memory of Dr. Donald Cohen Conference to celebrate 'Langston Hughes and His World' MEDICAL SCHOOL NEWS Grant supports research into the debilitating disease of narcolepsy Dr. Robert Berliner dies; former medical school dean . . . EPH researcher documents war's damaging effects Crying by medical students may be a sign of their compassion Master architects inspire students to design for the future Conference looks at the 'faces' of Japanese cinema Library sponsoring program on Islamic civilization and identity Campus Notes Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News|Bulletin Board Yale Scoreboard|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page