Search Results (100)

Agricultural and industrial residues are increasingly recognized as valuable resources for sustainable innovation, offering significant potential for biotechnological applications. By integrating waste valorization into production systems, this approach aims to mitigate environmental impacts and enhance economic value across various sectors. The findings underline the critical need for further research and policy support to scale these solutions, advancing global sustainability goals through innovative resource management. In this perspective, this article reviews the utilization of key by-products, including coffee residues, sugarcane bagasse, whey, cassava wastewater (manipueira), and brewery waste, highlighting their transformation into high-value products such as biofuels, bioplastics, enzymes, bioactive compounds, and organic fertilizers. The discussion presented encompasses the challenges and opportunities in leveraging these residues, emphasizing the role of advanced technologies, intellectual property, and circular economy principles. Full article

The digital economy has amplified the role of technological innovation in transforming financial services and business models. Patent data offer valuable insights into these dynamics, especially within the growing FinTech ecosystem. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of academic research that utilizes PATSTAT, a global database managed by the European Patent Office, focusing on its application in studies related to digital innovation, finance, and economic transformation. A systematic mapping of publications indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, Wiley, Emerald, and Springer Nature is carried out using Biblioshiny and Bibliometrix in RStudio 2025.05.0, complemented by graph-based visualizations via VOSviewer 1.6.20. The findings reveal a growing body of research that leverages PATSTAT to explore technological trajectories, intellectual property strategies, and innovation systems, particularly in areas such as blockchain technologies, AI-driven finance, digital payments, and smart contracts. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the strategic value of patent analytics in the FinTech landscape and offers a reference point for researchers and decision-makers aiming to understand emerging trends in financial technologies and the digital economy. Full article

It is increasingly recognized that the twin transitions of digitalization and green transformation are pivotal to achieving sustainable development. This study examines how digital trade affects corporate green total factor productivity (GTFP), using panel data from Chinese A-share listed firms and 287 prefecture-level cities in Mainland China from 2012 to 2022. The results demonstrate that digital trade exerts a significant positive impact on GTFP, primarily through improvements in technical efficiency, with heterogeneous effects across different stages of the corporate life cycle. Endogeneity concerns are carefully addressed through instrumental variable estimation and quasi-experimental designs, and robustness checks confirm the reliability of the findings. Mechanism analyses further reveal that digital trade enhances GTFP by stimulating green technological innovation and optimizing supply chain management. Importantly, threshold regression reveals non-linear effects. Both the level of digital trade and institutional factors, such as environmental regulation, intellectual property protection, and market integration, moderate the relationship between digital trade and GTFP in U-shaped, N-shaped, and other positive non-linear patterns. These insights enhance the understanding of how digitalization interacts with institutional contexts to drive sustainable productivity growth, providing practical implications for policymakers seeking to optimize digital trade strategies and complementary regulatory frameworks. Full article

Patent licensing is essential for sustainable technological diffusion, fostering innovation and strengthening industrial resilience. However, the determinants influencing patent licensing decisions remain underexplored. This study investigates these factors at both the enterprise and patent levels, emphasizing their role in promoting sustainable industrial innovation and knowledge transfer. Given the low proportion of licensed patents, this research proposes a measurement framework to identify thematically similar but unlicensed patents and applies a conditional logistic regression model to analyze the factors affecting licensing decisions. Using patent abstracts from the intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs) sector, topic modeling is conducted to classify technological themes, and Kullback–Leibler divergence is applied to measure differences between licensed and unlicensed patents. The results indicate that technological prestige and depth negatively influence licensing, whereas technological breadth, advancement, and stability have a positive effect. From a sustainability perspective, enterprises should optimize technology management to support responsible knowledge transfer and green innovation. Universities should enhance patent quality and innovation impact to contribute more effectively to sustainable development. Policymakers should refine patent licensing frameworks to foster an efficient, inclusive, and sustainable intellectual property ecosystem, thereby facilitating cross-sectoral technology diffusion, advancing eco-friendly industrial transformation, and promoting sustainable economic growth. Full article

The issue of image copyright infringement is prevalent in current e-commerce activities. Users employ methods such as image cropping, compression, and noise addition, making it difficult for traditional copyright detection technologies to identify and track infringements. This study proposes an image copyright registration, protection, and management method based on artificial intelligence and blockchain technology, aiming to address the current challenges of low accuracy in digital copyright infringement judgment, the vulnerability of image fingerprints stored on the chain to tampering, the complexity of encryption algorithms and key acquisition methods through contract calls, and the secure storage of image information during data circulation. The research combines artificial intelligence technology with traditional blockchain technology to overcome the inherent technical barriers of blockchain. It introduces an originality detection model based on deep learning technology after conducting both off-chain and on-chain detection of unidentified images, providing triple protection for digital image copyright infringement detection and enabling efficient active defense and passive evidence storage. Additionally, the study improves upon the traditional image perceptual hashing in blockchain, which has poor robustness, by adding chaotic encryption sequences to protect the image data on the chain, and its effectiveness has been verified through experiments. Ultimately, the research hopes to provide e-commerce entities with an effective and feasible digital copyright protection and management solution, safeguarding their intellectual property rights and fostering a legal and reasonable competitive environment in e-commerce. Full article

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by repeated convulsions. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are the main course of therapy for epilepsy. These medications are given according to each patient’s personal medical history and the types of seizures they suffer. They have been employed for decades to manage epilepsy, thus delivering relief from seizures through numerous mechanisms of action. Aside from their anticonvulsant attributes, current evidence suggests that certain AEDs may display potential inhibitory effects against cancer invasion and metastasis. This review explored the complicated interactions between the modes of action of AEDs and the pathways causing cancer, and the potential impact of AEDs on the invasion and metastasis of various forms of cancer, while addressing their associated side effects. For example, valproic acid inhibits histone deacetylase, causing hyperacetylation of genes, especially those regulating cell cycle, culminating in cell cycle arrest. Topiramate inhibits carbonic anhydrase, thus disrupting the acidic microenvironment needed for cancer cells to thrive. Lacosamide increases the slow inactivation of the voltage gated Na⁺ channel, thus inhibiting the growth, proliferation, and metastasis of many cancers. Although drug development is a complex task due to regulatory, intellectual property, and economic challenges, researchers are exploring drug repurposing tactics to overcome these challenges and to find new therapeutic alternatives for diseases like cancer. Thus, drug repurposing is considered among the most effective ways to develop drug candidates using novel properties and therapeutic characteristics, and this review also discusses these issues. Full article

Innovative technologies have become a key driver of global development, enhancing communication, streamlining processes, and facilitating institutional collaboration. This study examines the perceptions of researchers and academic staff involved in research activities within educational institutions in Romania, a country that has faced challenges in intellectual property management and registration processes. The research focuses on the innovation registration process and the need for an online platform leveraging new digital technologies for intellectual property protection. Using an econometric model developed and tested through WarpPLS 8.0, the analysis reveals that 84% of respondents’ perceptions of the innovation registration process can be explained by the independent variables at the pattern level. The findings underscore the importance of aligning global legislative frameworks to stimulate innovation, promote intellectual property rights registration, and support sustainable economic growth. Furthermore, the study advocates for the development of an online platform that integrates artificial intelligence to enhance its functionality, streamline the application process, and foster the creation and dissemination of innovative technologies. By addressing these issues in Romania, the research contributes to global sustainable development objectives by providing a model for improving innovation registration processes worldwide, thus promoting technological advancement, intellectual property protection, and sustainable economic growth. Full article

The objective of this research is to examine the role of intellectual property (IP) in fostering business development, particularly focusing on patent management in Ecuador and its alignment with international standards. The study employs a comparative analysis of Ecuadorian legislation against the framework established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to identify challenges and opportunities within the national IP system. Key methods include reviewing existing legal texts, interviewing stakeholders, and analyzing patent registration processes. The findings indicate that while Ecuador has made significant strides in harmonizing its IP laws with international treaties, such as the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), considerable barriers remain, particularly related to bureaucratic inefficiencies and a lack of technical resources in key institutions like the National Service of Intellectual Rights (SENADI). The conclusions highlight the need for enhanced efficiency and implementation of IP regulations to stimulate sustained innovation growth, attract national and foreign investments, and, ultimately, strengthen Ecuador’s competitiveness in a global economy. This research contributes to the understanding of how effective IP management can serve as a vital tool for economic development and innovation. Full article

Blockchain technologies provide new opportunities for media copyright management. To provide an overview of the main initiatives in this blockchain application area, we have first reviewed the existing academic literature. The bibliometric analysis of the literature about copyright and blockchain in the Scopus database identifies four main areas of activity, namely “Digital Rights Management”, “Copyright Protection”, “Social Media”, and “Intellectual Property Rights”. However, it also shows that the literature is still scarce and immature in many aspects, which becomes more evident when comparing it to initiatives coming from the industry. Blockchain has been receiving significant inflows of venture capital and crowdfunding, which have boosted its progress in many fields, including its application to media management. Consequently, we have complemented the review with a business perspective. Existing reports about blockchain and media have been studied and consolidated into four prominent business use cases: “Copyright Management”, “Digital Content Scarcity”, “Marketing, Fan Engagement and Fundrising”, and “Disintermediated Distribution”. Moreover, each one has been illustrated through existing businesses already exploring them. Combining the academic and industry perspectives, this review helps researchers identify the current trends in academic research about media copyright management using blockchain technologies, but without losing track of the state of the art in the industry, which in many cases is more advanced, and the business use cases they can connect their research to. Full article

Bioprinting, an innovative combination of biotechnology and additive manufacturing, has emerged as a transformative technology in healthcare, enabling the fabrication of functional tissues, organs, and patient-specific implants. The implementation of the aforementioned, however, introduces unique intellectual property (IP) challenges that extend beyond conventional biotechnology. The study explores three critical areas of concern: IP protection for bioprinting hardware and bioinks, ownership and ethical management of digital files derived from biological data, and the implications of commercializing bioprinted tissues and organs. Employing a multidisciplinary approach, the paper analyzes existing IP frameworks, highlights their limitations when applied to bioprinting, and examines ethical dilemmas, such as ownership of bioprinted human tissues and the commodification of biological innovations. Findings suggest that current IP laws inadequately address the complexities of bioprinting, particularly in managing the intersection of proprietary technologies and ethical considerations. The study underscores the need for adaptive legal and ethical frameworks to balance innovation with equitable access and sustainability. Recommendations include the development of tailored IP policies for bioprinting and enhanced international collaboration to harmonize legal protections across jurisdictions. This work aims to provide a comprehensive foundation for stakeholders to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of bioprinting IP. Full article

Against the pressing backdrop of global climate change, various environmental issues are becoming increasingly prominent, posing unprecedented challenges to both the global economic system and business operations. Green technology innovation, as a critical response to climate change, is vital not only for the sustainable development of firms, but also for fostering the harmonious coexistence of the economy and environment. However, whether climate change itself affects green technology innovation activities is still a topic that needs to be explored in depth. This paper utilizes data from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), State Intellectual Property Office of China (SIPO), and CRNDS database to empirically examine the impact of climate change on green technology innovation of Chinese A-share listed firms from 2011 to 2020. The findings indicate the following: (1) Climate change significantly inhibits green technology innovation. (2) Entrepreneurs’ green human capital can mitigate the negative impact of climate change on green technology innovation. (3) When faced with higher investor attention or stronger environmental regulation, firms will pay more attention to their green technology innovation when adversely affected by climate change. (4) Resource-based cities show greater resilience against the negative impacts of climate change on green technology innovation compared to non-resource-based cities, suggesting that climate change-induced adaptive behavior may break the resource curse. (5) Mature, non-polluting, high-tech, and non-manufacturing firms are more effective in resisting the inhibitory effects. This research contributes to understanding climate risks and managing them effectively. Full article

Information consumption (IC) has emerged as a critical driver of the digital transformation of enterprises (DTE) and sustainable corporate development, garnering significant attention in recent years. Nevertheless, research focused on the role of IC as a driving factor of the DTE remains relatively scarce. The information consumption pilot policy (ICPP), a key initiative aiming to foster the consumption of information products and services, plays an essential role in refining consumption systems and mechanisms, enhancing demand-side management, and facilitating the DTE. Using data from Chinese A-share listed companies, this study leverages the ICPP as a quasi-natural experiment and employs a difference-in-differences (DID) model to evaluate the effects and underlying mechanisms of IC on the DTE, with the objective of elucidating how IC drives the DTE. The findings indicate that IC significantly accelerates the DTE, a conclusion that remains robust across multiple validation tests. Further investigation reveals that IC has a stronger impact on digital transformation in non-state-owned enterprises, capital-intensive enterprises, technology-intensive enterprises, and growth-stage enterprises than in state-owned enterprises, labor-intensive enterprises, and enterprises in the maturity or decline stage. Similarly, IC demonstrates a more substantial influence on digital transformation in enterprises situated in southern cities, large-scale cities, and non-resource-dependent cities than in enterprises located in northern cities, small-scale cities, and resource-dependent cities. Mechanism analyses suggest that IC primarily drives the DTE through pathways such as technological innovation, the expansion of household consumption, and the advancement of financial digitization. Additionally, intellectual property protection is found to significantly enhance the impact of IC on the DTE. By investigating the drivers of the DTE from the perspective of digital consumption, this study not only provides a theoretical foundation for the advancement of China’s digital economy but also offers practical guidance and insights for fostering the DTE on a global scale. Full article

This paper examines the intellectual property (IP) challenges introduced by 3D printing, a transformative technology enabling widespread innovation, but also raising critical legal questions. It focuses on three main areas: (1) IP issues associated with 3D printing hardware, (2) copyright and licensing complexities related to downloadable 3D files, and (3) IP concerns for commercialized 3D printed items. Through a comprehensive review, the paper highlights how existing IP frameworks struggle to keep pace with the flexibility and accessibility inherent in 3D printing. Proposed solutions, such as blockchain for secure design tracking and enhanced digital rights management (DRM), point towards a more controlled future for digital design protection. Additionally, the study underscores the need for international cooperation to harmonize IP laws, facilitating more effective cross-border enforcement. This work aims to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on IP rights in 3D printing, proposing adaptive strategies to support legal clarity while fostering technological advancement. Full article

The management and protection of data-based intellectual property have attracted increasing attention in the academic community due to the rapid development of digital technologies and data-driven industries. However, a comprehensive and multidimensional examination of the research landscape is still required to better understand its structure and evolution. Using CiteSpace software, this study conducts a bibliometric analysis, revealing key trends and patterns in collaboration, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence in the field of data-based intellectual property. Our findings show a growing body of literature on data IP management, with a significant increase in publications since 2013. We identify that collaboration between regions, especially the United States, China, and the United Kingdom, leads global efforts, but institutional collaboration remains underdeveloped. In terms of co-citation, seminal works by Jaffe, Hall, and Samuelson form the foundation of the current research, while emerging research focuses on technological innovations like blockchain and AI. The analysis further reveals that future research is likely to explore the intersections of data privacy, innovation, and legal frameworks. Compared with previous studies, this paper builds a knowledge framework for data-based intellectual property management from a holistic perspective of bibliometrics, analyses the current challenges, and outlines future research directions, which is of significant reference value to both scholars and practitioners. Full article

With the increasing complexity of societal and environmental problems in the Anthropocene, the use of both classification-based approaches, which provide in-depth understanding within disciplinary boundaries, and citation-based approaches, which provide interdisciplinary research, has been encouraged. However, there are limited comparisons of the knowledge networks produced between these two approaches, which compromises our capacity to manage technological development. This paper aims to investigate the similarities and differences of river technology networks produced using classification-based and citation-based approaches. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) database from 1863 to 2020 was used as the data source. River technology systems contained three interactive subsystems: water demand, water supply, and water management, and the structure was measured using network-based metrics. It was found that river technology systems constructed using the classification-based and the citation-based approaches developed similarly in terms of their temporal, spatial, and compositional features. The structural differences were attributed to the addition of an external system that draws upon interdisciplinary knowledge beyond water resources. Both approaches can be used for guiding technology management, with the classification-based approach being more effective for understanding the content of innovations and the citation-based approach being more effective in gathering information beyond the water resource discipline. Technologies from more diverse disciplines should be encouraged to address increasingly complex water challenges. Full article