Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems (한국산업정보학회논문지)

Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems (한국산업정보학회)
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Software Industry and Patents : Legal Evolution and Economic Arguments

소프트웨어 산업과 특허: 법적 진화와 경제적 쟁점

  • 한윤환 (경성대학교 상경대학 경제물류학부)
  • Received : 2010.03.30
  • Accepted : 2010.04.20
  • Published : 2010.06.30
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Abstract

Beyond the rapid normalization process of patents in software industry, complex legal evolution and rigorous economic arguments underlie the crucial environmental transformation of the industry. In this article, we trace the evolutionary history for the theory and practice of patents in software industry from both legal and economic perspectives. First, we study the legal disputes and cases in light with the underpinnings of patent policy transformation, and then delve into the economic backrounds of the pros and cons for software patents, with special focus on the generic economic peculiarities of software industry. The fact that historical and practical policy and law in Korea have been largely affected from those of USA, and relative deficiency in the law, economics and management literature are the main motivation of the study, and we hope this study to contribute to the decision making of policymakers as well as law and business practitioners.

소프트웨어 산업에서 특허권의 취득이 일상화된 과정은 그것이 단기간에 이루어졌다는 점 이외에도, 복잡한 법적 판단의 변천과 치열한 경제적 찬반 논리를 거치며 이루어졌다는 특징을 지닌다. 본 연구에서는 소프트웨어 산업에서 특허를 둘러싼 이론과 현실이 어떻게 진화하여 왔는지를 법적, 경제적 측면에서 통합적으로 살펴본다. 이를 위해 미국을 중심으로 소프트웨어 특허에 대해 전개된 법률적 판단의 주요 사례를 분석하고, 그 과정에서 제기된 경제적 주장의 배경 논리를 소프트웨어 산업의 본원적 특성에 대한 이해를 바탕으로 종합적으로 모색한다. 이러한 연구는 우리나라 특허제도가 역사적으로 미국 특허제도로부터 많은 영향을 받아온 점, 그리고 우리나라의 경영학 및 경제학 문헌에서 관련 논의가 부족한 현실을 감안할 때 중요한 의의를 지닌다.

Keywords

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