Whereas large numbers of standard-essential patents are often taken for granted, this study focuses on the process by which companies obtain such patents.
Granted, this study was conducted in Scandinavia, a region famous for its ample parental leave, where companies are also required to provide generous compensation for sick days.
Grants This study was supported by a grant from the Foerderverein Peter Geiger, Beilstein, Germany and a grant from Innovative Medizinische Forschung (IMF), Muenster, Germany.
The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2334/14/118/prepub We are grateful to Bahir Dar University, for granting this study.
Thanks to Nordea Fonden for a grant for this study.
All authors were directly or indirectly supported by this grant during this study.
HA and BSP coordinated study, edited the manuscript and provided grant for this study.
RWK received an unrestricted research grant for this study by AstraZeneca.
AvG, JB and BAvH received an educational grant for this study from Lilly Netherlands.
RA was salary-supported by a T32 National Institute of Health grant throughout this study.
