Examination of the Role of Patent Regime in the Protection of Environment (with a Particular Emphasis on the CBD)

Abstract

Industrial development and application of wide range of modern technologies are one of the influential factors in the increase of investment, economic growth and promotion of social welfare. However, according to conducted research and existing empirical evidence, those factors have brought about negative environmental impacts such as climate change and global warming. Here, patent system as a main legal framework to encourage and protect innovations, inventions and industrial progress has an undeniable role in the extent of such negative environmental impacts. Biological pollution is mainly the result of industrial activities and application of technologies that were or are protected under patent laws. Since the Convention on Biological Diversity emphasizes on the necessity of the preservation of environment and sustainable development, this Article tries to identify and clarify the legal gaps in patent laws by studying the patent protection theories and rationales, and further through the analysis of such laws and international cases put forward a number of solutions to the environmental challenges by offering some suggestions regarding the amendment of patent system.