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Nanotechnology applications and intellectual property rights in agriculture

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Abstract

Nanotechnology research uses specific properties of materials at the nanoscale to develop improved materials, devices, systems and therapeutics. There is a risk of overlapping patent claims and lack of distinction between nano-based and traditional patents due to the interdisciplinary nature of nanotechnology. There is an increasing trend of granted patents. The World Intellectual Property Organization and World Health Organization, regulatory and policy bodies, are working to make a comprehensive property right regulation for nanotechnology products. The USA, the leader of nanotechnology products, has made guidelines to make patent search easier for nano-based products. The European Patent Office has also created a new classification for nano-based inventions. Here we review the status of intellectual property rights protection of nanomaterial, environmental implications and application of nanotechnology in agriculture.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Tocklai Tea Research Institute, Tea Research Association, Jorhat, Assam, 785008, India

    Pritom Chowdhury, Madhurjya Gogoi, Sangeeta Borchetia & Tanoy Bandyopadhyay

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  1. Pritom Chowdhury
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  2. Madhurjya Gogoi
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  3. Sangeeta Borchetia
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  4. Tanoy Bandyopadhyay
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Correspondence to Pritom Chowdhury.

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Chowdhury, P., Gogoi, M., Borchetia, S. et al. Nanotechnology applications and intellectual property rights in agriculture. Environ Chem Lett 15, 413–419 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-017-0632-4

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