Rapid advancements and innovation in the spectrum of fields actively engaged in nanotechnology research and development (including “material science, metallurgy, chemistry, physics of condensed matter, polymer science, electrical engineering, electronics, instrumentation, and biology”, p. 4) make navigation of international IPR complex. The authors undeniably bring to the table the requisite scientific and technical knowledge of the complete research and development chain with practical experience and expertise as Ph.D. patent agents in India, a wealth of previous scholarship, professional involvement and accolades, government appointments, and expansive hands-on experience on the business side of nanotechnology commercialization. The organization of the book is quite dynamic and drafted for ease of reading; each of the six chapters functionally stands alone, yet builds and integrates on broad thematic concepts. Each chapter is structured with descriptive subheadings, allowing the reader to flip through and identify particular areas of interest. Supporting tables, charts, and other vivid graphics are speckled throughout. The book is ideal for a wide audience interested in nanotechnology patent trends and implications.
The book is divided into six well-delineated chapters. Chapter 1 lays out the scope of the book's coverage given the multidisciplinary nature of the fields of nanotechnology, including an assessment of the role of industry, governments, academe and the immense infusion of funding being directed toward research and development. The authors urge that the “blurring of disciplinary boundaries” (p. 4) and “complex knowledge matrix” (p. 5) make IPR absolutely imperative to the nanotechnology enterprise. The authors frame the remainder of the book on factors and concepts that support and drive nanotechnology IPR and patents in particular. Chapter 2 provides a primer on patent law concepts, including substantive patent requirements, jurisdictional similarities and differences, the anatomy of a patent with multiple examples, explanation of the procedural aspects of patents, and a brief examination of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system. Chapter 3 expands on the importance of patent rights for nanotechnology, discussing the international patent classification system, offering prior art search techniques with specific illustrative examples and tips for successful navigation of international patent resources. Chapter 4 offers business perspectives with useful real-world case studies regarding creation of patent portfolios, highlights the role of start-up companies in the realm of nanotechnology, and identifies strategies for consolidation. Table 4.2 (p. 130–134) provides a particularly informative and detailed account of venture capital providers in the nanotechnology sector. Chapter 5 describes over a dozen high-profile legal cases in the U.S. and E.U. dealing with patent portfolios for nanotechnology inventions. Although the cases are fact-specific and wide-ranging in terms of the particular application of nanotechnology involved, this chapter is informative as to the importance of the structure and drafting of patent claims and specifications, due diligence prior to initiation of research and development, and mechanisms for challenging and defending the validity of nanotechnology patents. Finally, Chapter 6 looks to the future of nanotechnology IPR, focusing on uncertain areas, public perceptions regarding risks, management of intellectual property, and creation and maintenance of the necessary infrastructure to meet future challenges.