Comparative Analysis of Intellectual Property Law in Maritime Technology Patents for Knowledge Transfer

Abstract

Advancements in automation, sustainability, and digital navigation technologies are reshaping the maritime sector. These innovations are bound by legal frameworks of intellectual property (IP) rights, which differ significantly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. This research analyzes the problem of how the different IP frameworks affect the processes of technological knowledge transfer in maritime technologies. The focus of this study is on whether national patent laws retard the diffusion of innovation and hinders international cooperation. The research uses a comparative legal approach to examine the IP policies of four leading maritime innovation centers: the United States, the EU, China, and Japan. It analyses critical legal factors such as the public availability of funded research under the control of patent institutions, the primary and secondary permitting processes, the availability of licenses, and the role of other public agencies in mediating control over the funded technologies. Information is gathered from legal documents, reports from patent offices, intergovernmental agreements, and other legal documents. Results show that there is an incentive in innovation with stronger patent protection. However, in cases with rigidity in IP laws, collaboration across borders and access to exclusive, critical technologies becomes limited. The study suggests constructive policies and legal frameworks focusing on a moderate degree of control blended with information transparency. This research proposes recommendations for aligning intellectual property policies with international standards to support the exchange of knowledge and the sustainable development of the maritime industry. Thus, the work is at the intersection of innovation policy and maritime law.