In June, the advisory council for Science and Technology Policy (AWT) wrote that universities should leave the patenting of their discoveries to business as much as possible. That would result in better use of knowledge. Patents are meant to exploit inventions commercially, an aim not fitting to universities. They moreover lack the thorough knowledge of the market necessary for an effective patent policy.
Such a 'prohibition' is not called for according to the government. Many universities alreay have their own patent policy. They, for example, place their knowledge with young innovative small businesses, or establish small firms to apply for and sell patents. According to the government universities should have the freedom to determine their own policy.
No impediments therefore, but the government does not want to force the universities either. In the United States the 'Bayh-Dole Act' makes it compulsory for universities to exploit their research results whenever possible, but a Dutch variation on this law will not be forthcoming.
To promote the spread of knowledge universities should keep in touch more, with each other and with businesses. New laws about government market activities would actually make universities do that. Because this legislation forces universities to show what they are doing, the business community can judge better what the interesting areas of knowledge are that universities have, the government expects.
