Chiron also has crucial patents and expertise surrounding the hepatitis C virus, which its scientists discovered.

In a case in 1973 a Federal court canceled a crucial patent.

One of their best hopes is a biotechnology company with a crucial patent.

Mycogen last year got a crucial patent covering a process for inserting the genes into plants.

Mr. Kamen says the much anticipated unveiling comes now because he has had time to file for crucial patents on the technology and is ready to test it publicly.

Besides scientific and regulatory issues, the field is facing possible legal battles for control of crucial patents, and also the challenge of attracting investors.

The new I.T. 839 policy differs by putting emphasis on inventing and developing technologies, to set the standards and to control crucial patents.

RCA, the parent company of NBC, involved Armstrong in a ruinous lawsuit over his most crucial patents.

Mr. Lieberfarb pushed DVD's vigorously, in part because Warner Brothers holds crucial patents for the technology.

Japanese companies also control many crucial patents on hybrid technology.