IP Outreach Research > IP Creation

Reference

Details

Main Findings

Nowadays, we have many valuable insights about how invention has developed historically and how the inventive mind works. These insights suggest that we should: emphasise adventure, excitement, and mystery as much as the analytical and technical side of invention, and, encourage crossing boundaries of convention, expectation, and disciplines.

Education has a key role in fostering and sustaining an inventive society. Aspects of the educational process enhancing creativity and technological inventiveness should thus be strengthened, and aspects stifling inventiveness should be minimised. Key educational success factors are: cultivation of the creative mind in school (through curriculum content and goals, style of out of classroom/classroom activities, emphasis on problem solving, overall school culture); appropriate supporting infrastructure permitting the use of new teaching methods and materials; generalised courses on invention and the inventive process.

As the best way to learn to invent is to invent, it is important to launch, strengthen and enhance initiatives involving young people directly in the invention process: adopt and reinforce policies promoting inventiveness and collaborative research projects; establish community centres (“invention homes”) giving inventors access to the tools, materials and flexible space they need to thrive; create networks of innovators and social entrepreneurs.

While patenting offers effective incentives for inventors and investors in technology, administrative hurdles of the patenting system oftentimes hinder the creative process of invention. Possible modifications of patent law and the patenting process enhancing their positive impact on invention and inventive creativity are: speeding up the patenting process and making it less costly; optimal balancing of the need for protection and exemptions for basic research; facilitating prior art searches for inventors; instituting a post grant review or opposition to strengthen patent quality.

In areas including global sustainability and poverty, invention and innovation incentives are low and barriers high. Steps that can be taken with a view to fostering inventiveness contributing to sustainable development are: education system reforms in developing countries putting emphasis on inventive creativity, interdisciplinary research and original thinking; investing in local invention and innovation; supporting social entrepreneurs; devising new intellectual property protection models permitting the globalisation of the best ideas for sustainable development; promoting a societal context favourable to inventive creativity (human rights, freedom of speech, justice, rule of law).

Public awareness helps promote inventive creativity. Public outreach activities relating to invention and inventiveness can take the following forms: informing the public about the basic profile, characteristics and role of inventors using media such as books, television, radio, source books and historical vignettes; familiarising the general public with creative inventiveness and inventors by organising public events, competitions and travelling exhibitions; creating additional inventor awards and prizes to stimulate invention and raise the stature of inventors/invention in the eyes of young people.

Further research is needed for a deeper understanding of inventive creativity and should focus on the process of invention and the teaching of inventiveness.

[Date Added: Nov 21, 2008 ]