• Journal of Korea Society of Industrial Information Systems
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.99-113
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• 2010

Beyond the rapid normalization process of patents in software industry, complex legal evolution and rigorous economic arguments underlie the crucial environmental transformation of the industry. In this article, we trace the evolutionary history for the theory and practice of patents in software industry from both legal and economic perspectives. First, we study the legal disputes and cases in light with the underpinnings of patent policy transformation, and then delve into the economic backrounds of the pros and cons for software patents, with special focus on the generic economic peculiarities of software industry. The fact that historical and practical policy and law in Korea have been largely affected from those of USA, and relative deficiency in the law, economics and management literature are the main motivation of the study, and we hope this study to contribute to the decision making of policymakers as well as law and business practitioners.