Do patents stifle innovation ? The result

I recently posted about a debate at the Science Museum on the question of whether or not patents stifled innovation in low energy inventions.

It happened while I was away -- I'd have very much liked to have been there -- but it turns out that after an interesting evening the pro-patent advocates won the vote by 90 to 14. The arguments are summarised in a press release by CIPA, the trade association for UK patent attorneys. The basic point was that small companies need the protection from patents to finance and manufacture their innovations.

I had been under the impression that attendance was open to all who pre-registered, but the press release refers to "business leaders".