An overview of the appropriability mechanisms used in plant biotechnology industry

• Vinícius Eduardo Ferrari

  Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUC-Campinas)

  Author

• José Maria Jardim Ferreira da Silveira

  Institute of Economics, State University of Campinas University

  Author

• Maria Ester Soares Dal-Poz

  School of Applied Sciences, State University of Campinas

  Author

This paper aims to discuss the main appropriability mechanisms used by biotech firms to avoid imitation and appropriate the economic benefits from crop innovations. To this end, we analyze the strategic links between the technological development of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and the ownership rights over plant transformation technologies. We also discuss a key case study - the legal battle between Monsanto and Syngenta by the control of the GMO crops derived from the GA21 gene. Our findings show that a system of blocking patents has been built basically through strategies relating to intellectual property mechanisms. As result, Monsanto's efforts to sue competitors for patent infringement have proved to be a successful barrier to entry in plant biotechnology industry.

1. Vinícius Eduardo Ferrari, Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUC-Campinas)

   Center for Economics and Administration, Postgraduate Program in Sustainability

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Copyright (c) 2019 Vinícius Eduardo Ferrari, José Maria Jardim Ferreira da Silveira , Maria Ester Soares Dal-Poz

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