Patent Landscape of CRISPR/Cas

CRISPR/Cas technology is a widely used tool today and free to use for academic not-for-profit institutions. However, when it comes to developing commercial products using CRISPR/Cas technology, one has to obtain a license, as many over-lapping patents exist in this sphere. Single window licensing system could resolve such issues so that the use of CRISPR/Cas technology in developing new products is facilitated. Here, in this chapter, we look at the history, potential IP (intellectual property) players, patent scenario and describe the patent geographies and conflicts.