Transgenic Animals and Intellectual Property Concerns

Transgenic mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases may have considerable commercial value. In many cases, that value is linked to the intellectual property rights associated with the model. This chapter discusses the protection of intellectual property, including patent, contract, and third-party rights, related to transgenic mouse models and addresses aspects of litigation, which can occur if intellectual property rights are infringed. Various methods of commercializing transgenic mouse models are considered, including how these various methods address concerns of the National Institutes of Health regarding the use of research tools.