基因编辑技术CRISPR/Cas9专利的认定

Identification of the gene editing technology CRISPR/Cas9 patent

基因编辑技术CRISPR/Cas9自出现以来吸引了广泛关注。两个研究团队对此项技术在美国专利归属的争夺引起了关于此项技术是否可专利以及其专利归属的讨论。现通过分析美国的专利制度论证基因编辑技术CRISPR/Cas9的可专利性,并通过介绍美国专利制度中确定专利权人基本原则的转变,探求基因编辑技术CRISPR/Cas9专利的归属问题。最后,通过现有资料和专利制度的相关知识预测专利的最终归属,以及对如何应对基因编辑技术CRISPR/Cas9在我国的专利申请作出判断。

Since the gene editing technology CRISPR/Cas9 emerged, it has aroused widespread concern. The legal battle over the patent of this technology has caused discussions mainly on two questions： whether the gene editing technology CRISPR/Cas9 can be patented or not and who will be the patent owner. Through analyzing the U.S. patent system, this paper intends to prove that the gene editing technology CRISPRJCas9 satisfies the requirements of the patent eligible subject and explore the ownership of its patent by introducing the changeover of U.S. patent principles from first-to-invent to first-inventor-to-file. Finally, the paper predicts the final ownership of the patent in accordance with the existing evidence and relevant knowledge of the U.S. patent system, and also analyzes the potential result of the application for gene editing technology CRISPR/Cas9 patent in China.