Boucher Nanotechnology

Legal Aspects
Erscheinungsjahr 2008
ISBN: 978-1-4200-5350-0
Verlag: Taylor & Francis
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 272 Seiten

Reihe: Perspectives in Nanotechnology

Existing laws have a generality that permits them to be applied to nanotechnology, but eventually it will be necessary to generate legislation targeted to issues specific to nanotechnology. As nanotechnology continues to develop into commercially viable products, legal doctrines are increasingly likely to play an important role in protecting intellectual property, facilitating financial transactions, and handling health, safety, and environmental issues. Nanotechnology: Legal Aspects provides thorough, yet comprehensible overview of different legal doctrines that are relevant to nanotechnology and explains how they may apply in the development, commercialization, and use of nano-products. The book is divided into three parts that correspond to the different phases in the lifecycle of nano-products: Protection, Regulation, and Liability. The in-depth coverage of these topics in a single source sets this work apart from others at the interface of law and nanoscience. Accessible to those without specific training in either nanotechnology or law. Nanotechnology: Legal Aspects offers a reader-friendly and affordable alternative that appeals to nano-aware audiences as well as legal professionals, students, and scientists who wish to build a greater understanding of the legal aspects of nanotechnology.

Zielgruppe

Nanotechnologists, scientists, legal professionals, journalists, and nano-aware audiences. The book is suitable as a supplementary text in both legal classes that are directed to technology law and in technical classes that seek to make known students to societal issues.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Boucher, Patrick M.

Fachgebiete

• Technische Wissenschaften Technik Allgemein Nanotechnologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Series Foreword

Societal Implications

The Books

References

Author

Introduction

Note

SECTION I: PROTECTION

Patents

Introduction

Patentability Requirements

Riding the Patent Office Pony

Infringement Issues

Nanotech Patents outside the United States

Copyrights

Introduction

Copyright Requirements

Nanotech Creations as Artistic Works

Integrated Circuit Topographies

Trade Secrets

What is a Trade Secret?

Patent or Trade Secret?

Remedies

Ownership of Nanotech Intellectual Property

The Nature of Property

Joint Ownership

Assignment Obligations

Government Interests

SECTION II: REGULATION

Delegation of Power to Agencies

Regulatory Agencies

Rulemaking

Use of Information by Agencies

Information Quality

Examples of Regulation of Nanotechnology

Health and Safety Regulations

Environmental Regulations

Regulation of Exports

Political and Judicial Control over Agency Action

SECTION III: LIABILITY

Introduction

Should Scientists be Held Responsible for the Use of Their Creations?

The Application and Civil and Criminal Laws

The Importance of Context

Civil Liability

Application of Negligence to Nanotechnology

Strict Liability for Nanotechnology Products

Warranty

Class Actions

Nanotechnology Business Organizations

Criminal Liability

Crimes Using Nanotechnology

Definition of Crimes

Corporate Criminal Liability

Example: Application of U.S. Sentencing Guidelines to Nanotechnology Crimes

International Trends

Prevention and Detection of Crimes Using Nanotechnology

Conclusion

Index

*All chapters contain Discussions at the end of each subsection and additional Notes where appropriate.