Problem
Suppression of information by security classification
Other Names:
Suppression of innovation by purchase of patentsGovernment refusal to declassify innovative patents
Incidence:
Example: the UK inventor of a new form of space vehicle (the Hotol) considerably cheaper than a shuttle, patented the concept which was then classified by the government as being of military importance. When the military ceased funding its development and private industry was scheduled to take over, the government refused to declassify the patents to enable the work to continue, despite the considerable funds already invested by government in the project. Broader Problems:
Patent abuseSuppression of informationClassified public information Aggravates:
Disincentives to inventionCalculated delay in publication of documentsRestrictive business practices in relation to patents and trademarks Subject(s):
Information → Information Commerce → Purchasing, supplying
Societal Problems → Deprivation
Research, Standards → Patents, copyright
Defence → Secrecy
Government → Government
Informatics, Classification → Classification
Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
Problem Type:
F: Fuzzy exceptional problems Date of last update
04.10.2020 – 22:48 CEST