Hi Robert, thanks for doing this AMA! I have a somewhat specific question, but I'd love your insight.
Ambitious space companies like Planetary Resources have had a very hard time getting off the ground. Many analysts cite problems with IP law, specifically, as a reason why it's hard to get off the ground as a private space company. For example, Elon Musk has cited competition from China as the reason why SpaceX only has one patent, NASA contractually limits IP protection for its private partners, and law firms have pointed to a loophole in U.S. patent law that allows for foreign-registered space companies to infringe patents without consequences.
Do you think a fundamental change in space IP law is necessary for the space industry to succeed, or are there ways upstart companies can innovate in space without standard IP protections?
powduh1 karma
Hi Robert, thanks for doing this AMA! I have a somewhat specific question, but I'd love your insight.
Ambitious space companies like Planetary Resources have had a very hard time getting off the ground. Many analysts cite problems with IP law, specifically, as a reason why it's hard to get off the ground as a private space company. For example, Elon Musk has cited competition from China as the reason why SpaceX only has one patent, NASA contractually limits IP protection for its private partners, and law firms have pointed to a loophole in U.S. patent law that allows for foreign-registered space companies to infringe patents without consequences.
Do you think a fundamental change in space IP law is necessary for the space industry to succeed, or are there ways upstart companies can innovate in space without standard IP protections?
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