application is not published until a patent is issued, use of a secrecy order, or requesting a examination’ to speed up examination. The majority of ‘prioritized comments received were highly controversial of the proposals, voicing concerns of the interpretation of the term economic interest’ and the uncertainty that ‘national could ensue from having increased numbers of patents’. While it is not ‘submarine clear what will come of this proposal, from the perspective of the patent social contract model it is troubling that such a proposal has been made in the first place. If disclosure is to remain an aim of the patent system, it is important that a network of outsiders mobilize themselves to prevent these changes and actively work to improve the diffusion of knowledge through the system. This is particularly important if patents are to continue to be used to the results of publicly funded, basic ‘protect’ science undertaken in universities.
application is not published until a patent is issued, use of a secrecy order, or requesting a ‘prioritized examination’ to speed up examination. The majority of comments received were highly controversial of the proposals, voicing concerns of the interpretation of the term ‘national economic interest’ and the uncertainty that could ensue from having increased numbers of ‘submarine patents’. While it is not clear what will come of this proposal, from the perspective of the patent social contract model it is troubling that such a proposal has been made in the first place. If disclosure is to remain an aim of the patent system, it is important that a network of outsiders mobilize themselves to prevent these changes and actively work to improve the diffusion of knowledge through the system. This is particularly important if patents are to continue to be used to ‘protect’ the results of publicly funded, basic science undertaken in universities.