A szabadalmak megkérdőjeleződött hasznossága (Questioned usefulness of patents)

A cikk a szabadalmak gazdaságban betöltött szerepével, az innovációra és a társadalmi hasznosságra gyakorolt hatásával kapcsolatos fontosabb elméleteket és empirikus kutatásokat foglalja össze. Számos újabb keletű vagy újra aktuálissá vált elmélet vitatja jelenlegi formájában a szabadalmak létjogosultságát. A meglévő empirikus kutatások eredményei is jellemzően azt mutatják, hogy a szabadalmak ugyan betöltik hagyományos szerepüket az innovációk védelmében, de néhány iparág kivételével csak az innovációk kis része esetében nélkülözhetetlenek. Az innovációk nagy része tehát szabadalmak nélkül is megvalósulna, nem feltétlenül lenne szükség minden esetben időleges monopóliumok létrehozására. Az innováció védelmén túlmutató stratégiai szabadalmi motivációk pedig számos olyan negatív hatással járnak, amelyek egyenesen gátolják az innovációs tevékenységet. Konklúzióként a kutatók jellemzően a jelenlegi rendszer reformját, a szabadalmaztatható technológiák körének szűkítését, néhányan pedig a szabadalmi rendszer megszüntetésének megfontolását javasolják. _____ This article summarizes the major theories and findings of empirical researches, regarding the role of patents in the economy and their effects on innovation and social utility. Numerous recent theories along with some reinvigorated older ones question the justification of the patent system. Most empirical studies show that although patents serve their traditional role in protecting innovation, they are not essential for the majority of the innovations in most industries. Most innovations would be generated even without patents and there would be no need for creating temporary monopolies in every case. Next to the protection from imitation, there are strategic motivations for patenting, and some unambiguously have a negative effect on innovative activity. As a conclusion, researchers suggest the reform of the patent system, the restriction of patentable technologies, and some suggest considering the abolishment of the patent system.

Hungary's U-Turn

For two decades Hungary, like the other Eastern European countries, followed a general policy of establishing and strengthening the institutions of democracy, rule of law, and a market economy based on private property. However, since the elections of 2010, when Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party came to power, Hungary has made a dramatic U-turn. This article investigates the different spheres of society: political institutions, the rule of law, and the influence of state and market on one another, as well as the world of ideology (education, science and art), and describes the U-turn’s implications for these fields and the effect it has on the life of people. It argues against the frequent misunderstandings in the interpretation and evaluation of the Hungarian situation, pointing out some typical intellectual fallacies. It draws attention to the dangers of strengthening nationalism, and to the ambivalence evident in Hungarian foreign policy, and looks into the relationship between Hungary and the Western world, particularly the European Union. Finally, it outlines the possible scenarios resulting from future developments in the Hungarian situation.

Hungary's U-Turn

For two decades Hungary, like the other Eastern European countries, followed a general policy of establishing and strengthening the institutions of democracy, rule of law, and a market economy based on private property. However, since the elections of 2010, when Viktor Orbán's Fidesz party came to power, Hungary has made a dramatic U-turn. This article investigates the different spheres of society: political institutions, the rule of law, and the influence of state and market on one another, as well as the world of ideology (education, science and art), and describes the U-turn's implications for these fields and the effect it has on the life of people. It argues against the frequent misunderstandings in the interpretation and evaluation of the Hungarian situation, pointing out some typical intellectual fallacies. It draws attention to the dangers of strengthening nationalism, and to the ambivalence evident in Hungarian foreign policy, and looks into the relationship between Hungary and the Western world, particularly the European Union. Finally, it outlines the possible scenarios resulting from future developments in the Hungarian situation.