© 2021 EPFL Natalia Givannini SUMMER SERIES: HOW SCIENCE WORKS Every year, scientists churn out over 4,000 journal articles on new discoveries and nearly 140 inventions. Even though discoveries and inventions are closely related, it would be a mistake to put them in the same basket: the intellectual property is handled in two very different ways. First comes a passion for science; the drive to conduct research in its purest form. Next comes the excitement of finding something new, either unexpectedly or building on work done by peers. Then there's the discovery and the publication of an article in a scientific journal - although discoveries may also give rise to inventions (and vice versa). In practice, the world of research consists of various groups that coexist, overlap and conflict at times, but that don't disseminate their work in the same way. The underlying issue is one of intellectual property, which can be a minefield that scientists need to tread through very carefully.
TO READ THIS ARTICLE, CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT
And extend your reading, free of charge and with no commitment.
Your Benefits
- Access to all content
- Receive newsmails for news and jobs
- Post ads
