The Public Interest and the Construction of Exceptions to Patentee's Rights - A comparative Study of UK and German law

Abstract

The thesis analyses the concept of public interest with regards to exceptions to patent rights. It is submitted that patent rights are generally provided for a utilitarian purpose which is to enable technological advance. This goal is meant to be achieved by providing exclusive rights over the patented invention. Often however public interest considerations also mandate a limit to the exercise of the patent right through exceptions.