Networks
Lesser, William Henri
Susan Eckert Lynch Professor of Science and Business
Close
Positions
- Professor, Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management (AEM), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
William Lesser`s research focuses on the implications of agricultural biotechnology products on production costs and the size, structure, and geographic distribution of farming. He also concentrates on the costs, benefits, and structural implications of intellectual propertyÑparticularly patentsÑfor plants, seed, and animals. His analyses include comparisons between the U.S., Europe, and developing countries.
Research Areas
- agricultural biotechnology
- applied economics
- biodiversity
- biotechnology
- international agriculture
- transgenic plants
- Affiliations
- Research
- Publications
- Teaching
- Service
- Background
- Other
- View All
Affiliations
other Cornell affiliations
Research
research overview
- My research focuses on the roles and transfer of technologies, with particular attention to agricultural biotechnology and intellectual property rights. I attempt to span the large gulf between those who know the law of IPR and the practical implications for farmers and food consumers. Applications are domestic and international.
research activities
area(s) of concentration/expertise
keywords
- Biotechnology
- Intellectual Property Rights
- Technology Transfer
geographic focus
-
country
-
transnational region
submitted impact statement
Publications
individual publications
-
academic article
- Genetically Engineered Crops and its Effects on Varietal Diversity: A Case of Bt Eggplant in India. Agriculture and Human Values. 29:3-15. 2012
- Disease Resistance of Wheat Varieties: Can Private Varieties Withstand the Pressure. Economics Research International. 2011. 2011
- Measuring Intellectual Property ‘Strength’ and Effects: An Assessment of Patent Scoring Systems and Causality. Journal of Business, Entrepreneurship and the Law. 4. 2011
- Nature or Nurture: Is There a Case Basis for a Judicially Created ‘Product of Nature’ Exclusion? Are Genes Somehow Different?. John Marshall Review of Intellectual Property Law. 11:318-66. 2011
- The Economic Effects of Geographical Indications on Developing Country Producers: A Comparison of Darjeeling and Oolong Teas. World Intellectual Property Organization Journal. 2:157-172. 2011
- The 8% Solution – Or How Good Are the Calculation Economics by the Federal Circuit in Lucent V. Microsoft?. John Marshall Review Intellectual Property Law. 9:797-830. 2010
- But Are They Meritorious? Genetic Productivity Gains under Plant Intellectual Property Rights. Journal of Agricultural Economics. 60. 2009
- Does Plant Variety Protection Contribute to Crop Productivity? Lessons for Developing Countries from US Wheat Breeding. Journal of World Intellectual Property. 12:137-52. 2009
- From Penury to Prodigal: Protection Creep for U.S. Plant Varieties. Virginia Journal of Law & Technology. 14:235-72. 2009
- Bioengineered Crops as tools for international development: opportunities and strategic considerations. Experimental Agriculture. 44:277-299. 2008
- Potential welfare benefits from the public-private partnerships: A case of genetically engineered eggplant in India. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment. 6:333-340. 2008
- Who Adopts What Kind of Technologies? The Case of Bt Eggplant in India. AgBioForum. 9:94-103. 2006
- Intellectual Property Rights in a Changing Political Environment: Perspectives on the Types and Administration of Protection. AgBioForum. 8:64-72. 2005
- Balancing Investment Incentives and Social Benefits when Protecting Plant Varieties: Implementing Initial Variety Systems. Crop Science Journal. 44:1113-20. 2004
- Do Patents Come Too Easy?. IDEA: The Journal of Law and Technology. 44:381-409. 2004
- Elite Germplasm for GMO's in Brazil: Modeling Government Agribusiness Negotiations. International Food and Agribusiness Management Review. 2:391-406. 2001
- An Economic Approach to Identifying an 'Effective Sui Generis System' for Plant Variety Protection Under TRIPS. Agribusiness. 16:96-114. 2000
- Methodologies for Ex Ante Projections of Adoption Rates for Agbiotech Products: Lessons Learned from rBST. Agribusiness. 15:149-162. 1999
- What Will Happen When Livestock Are Patented? A Socioeconomic Perspective. Animal Biotechnology. 81:69-79. 1997
- The ‘Facilitator’: Proposing a New Mechanism to Strengthen the Equitable and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity. Environmental Conservation. 22:211-215. 1995
- Cooperation for Monopolization? An Empirical Analysis. The Review of Economics and Statistics. 76:161-175. 1994
- Royalty Collection For Patented Livestock. European Intellectual Property Review. 10:441-444. 1994
- The Complexities of Negotiating Terms of Germplasm Collection. Diversity. 10:6-10. 1994
- Valuation of Plant Variety Protection Certificates. Review of Agricultural Economics. 16:231-38. 1994
- What is 'Genetic Technology'. Biodiversity Letters. 2:31-34. 1994
- Animal Variety Protection: A Proposal for US Model Law. Journal of the Patent and Trademark Office Society. 75:398-426. 1993
- The Economic Implications of Bioengineered Mastitis Control. Journal of Dairy Science. 75:596-605. 1992
- Patent Protection in Developing Countries: The State of the Debate. AgBiotech News and Information. 3:631-636. 1991
- Animal Patents in the USA: Are the Concerns Justified?. Patent World. 13:18-23. 1989
- The Potential Impact of Ice Minus Bacteria as a Frost Protectant in New York Tree Fruit Production. Northeastern Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics. 18:26-34. 1989
- Canadian Seeds Act: Do They Mimic Plant Breeders' Rights Legislation?. Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics. 36:519-529. 1988
- Anticipating UK Plant Variety Patents. European Intellectual Property Review. 9:172-177. 1987
- Economic Impacts of a National Deposit Law: Cost Estimates and Policy Questions. J. Consumer Affairs. 21:122-140. 1987
- Experimental Price Variability and Consumer Response: Tracking Potato Sales with Scanners. Journal of Food Distribution Research. 18:108-115. 1987
- Financing University Research through Patenting and Licensing: Recent Policies and Practices at Cornell University as an Example. International Review of Industrial Property and Copyright Law. 18:360-371. 1987
- Grace Periods in First to File Countries. European Intellectual Property Review. 9:81-85. 1987
- International Patent Agreements for Protecting Biotechnology Products and Processes Worldwide. Agribusiness. 3:351-376. 1987
- The Effects of Unions on Productivity: An Analysis of the Cattle Kill Floor. Agribusiness. 3:273-80. 1987
- The Impacts of Seed Patents. Northeastern Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics. 9:37-48. 1987
- Assessing the Costs of Mandatory Beverage Container Deposit Legislation. Journal of Food Distribution Research. 17:26-31. 1986
- Patenting Seeds in the United States of America: What to Expect. Industrial Property. 25:360-367. 1986
- Projecting Adoption Rates: Application of an Ex Ante Procedure to Biotechnology Products. Northeastern Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics. 8:159-174. 1986
- The Accuracy of Supermarket Scanning Data: An Initial Investigation. Journal of Food Distribution Research. 17:69-74. 1986
- The Economic Implications of Bovine Somatotropin. The World Biotech Report. 2:529-537. 1985
- Urner Barry Shell Egg Quotes: How Good Are They?. Northeastern Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics. 7:75-85. 1985
- Evaluating Food Warehouse Efficiency Using Residual Analysis. Journal of Food Distribution Research. 14:83-88. 1983
- Quality Signaling and Oligopolistic Overcharges. Policy Studies Review. 2:484-494. 1983
- Reporting Food Price Dispersions: Some Preliminary Findings. Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics. 31:95-104. 1983
- A Demand Analysis of Bob Calves for Veal and Feeder Calf Uses in the Northeast. Journal of the Northeastern Agricultural Economics. 11:33-37. 1982
- Identifying Factors Affecting Productivity in Grocery Distribution Centers. Journal of Food Distribution Research. 13:35-46. 1982
- Marketing Alternatives for Northeastern Dairy Beef and Feeder Calves. Journal of the Northeastern Agricultural Economics. 11:111-120. 1982
- Predicting the Direct Benefits of a Food Price Reporting or Preference Changing Program. American Journal of Agricultural Economics. 64:129-133. 1982
- Improving Grocer Distribution Center Productivity: Suggestions for the Short and Long Run. Journal of Food Distribution Research. 12:151-160. 1981
- Economies of Size and Operating Efficiency of Livestock Markets: A Frontier Function Approach. Journal of the Northeastern Agricultural Economics. 9:37-40. 1980
- Market Functions and the Plight of the Northeast Livestock Auction Industry. Journal of the Northeastern Agricultural Economics. 8:221-231. 1979
-
article
-
book
-
booksection
-
chapter
- Developing Country Options under TRIPS: Choices to Maximize Biotech Transfer. Financial Inclusion, Innovation, and Investments. 169-93. 2011
- Economic Effects of Geographical Indications on Developing Countries: A Review and Identification of Research Needs. Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Issues. 2010
- From Penury to Prodigal: Protection Creep for U.S. Plant Varieties. PATENT LAW REVIEW. 2010
- Plant Intellectual Property Rights and Impacts on Agricultural Research and Development, and Crop Productivity. Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Issues. 2010
- Commercialization and the Scientific Research Process: The Example of Plant Breeding. Science and the University. 2007
- Network Analysis for Interpreting Patent Date: A Preliminary, Visual Approach. Agricultural Biotechnology and Intellectual Property Seeds of Change. 141-60. 2007
- Policy Considerations Along the Interface Between Biodiversity and Agriculture. Biodiversity and Agricultural Intensification: Partners for Development and Conservation. 1996
- Biosafety: An Environmental Impact Assessment Tool and the Role of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Widening Perspectives on Biodiversity. 1994
- Economics of Agricultural Research and Biotechnology. Current Issues in Agricultural Economics. 178-204. 1993
- Diversity of Agriculture in New York State. The Economy of New York State. 146-151. 1987
-
conference paper
- Animal Patents in the USA: Are the Concerns Justified?. Proceedings of the WIPO Worldwide Forum on the Impact of Emerging Technologies on the Law of Intellectual Property, Geneva, September 14-16, 1988. 1989
- Economic Opportunities for Livestock. New York Agriculture 2000 Conference. 131-141. 1984
- Economic Opportunities for Poultry. New York Agriculture 2000 Conference. 159-166. 1984
-
conference poster
-
report
- The Role of Intellectual Property Rights in Biotechnology Transfer Under the Convention on Biological Diversity 1997
- Biodiversity and Agriculture: Policy, Institutional and Economic Issues 1995
- Feasibility Study: Establishing a Facilitating Mechanism for the Fair, Equitable and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in Latin America and the Caribbean 1995
- Implementation of Technology Transfer within the Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity 1995
- Royalty Collection for Patented Livestock 1993
- Valuation of Plant Variety Protection Certificates 1993
- Economic Losses to New York's Dairy Sector Due to Mastitis 1989
- New Development in Biotechnology: Patenting Life Special Report, OTA BA 370 1989
- Computerized Environmental Control of Egg Laying Operations: Implications for New York. 26. 1988
- The Potential Impact of Ice Minus Bacteria as a Frost Protectant in New York Tree Fruit Production 1988
- Electronic Trading of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables to New York State Institutions: A Feasibility Analysis 1986
- Patenting Seeds: What to Expect. 20. 1986
- A Cost Based Charge and Payment system for Bulk Milk Assembly 1985
- A Cost Based Rate System for Bulk Milk Assembly. 27. 1985
- Biotechnology and the Dairy Industry: Production Costs, Commercial Potential, and the Economic Impact of the bovine Growth Hormone 1985
- Milk Hauling Cost Analysis Program: User's Manual. 44. 1985
- Milk Hauling Truck Maintenance Records Program: User's Manual. 20. 1985
- Biotechnology and the dairy industry: production costs and commercial potential of the bovine growth hormone 1984
- An Economic Evaluation of Cattle Supplies and Slaughter Plant Capacity in New York and the Northeast Region. 68. 1982
- Marketing Alternatives for New York Fed Beef Producers. 28. 1982
- Expanding Dairy Beef Production in the Northeast: The Price Effect of Reduced Calf Slaughter. 21. 1981
- Marketing Fat Cattle and Feeder Calves in New York. 26. 1980
- Specifying Variables for Grocery Distribution Center Productivity Analysis. 49. 1980
- Using the TI 59 Programmable Calculator to Estimate Operating Costs and Hauling Rates for Bulk Milk Assembly. 21. 1980
- Marketing Freezer Beef in New York State. 15. 1979
- Review of Biotechnology, Genetic Resource, and Intellectual Property Rights Programs 2003
- Assessing the Implications of IPR on Plant and Animal Agriculture 1997
- International Treaties and Other Legal and Economic Issues Relating to the Ownership and Use of Genetic Resources 1996
- Implementation of Technology Transfer within the Framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity: A Swiss Case Study 1995
- Intellectual Property Protection for Indonesia 1995
- Attributes of an Intellectual Property Rights System for Landraces 1994
- Facilitating New South North and South South Technology Flow Processes for ‘Genetic Technology 1993
- Implementation of Biosafety Regulatory Mechanisms Under the Biodiversity Convention 1993
- Negotiating Terms for Germplasm Collection 1993
- Modifications in Intellectual Property Rights Law and Effects on Agricultural Research 1992
- Equitable Patent Legislation for Developing Countries 1991
- Needed Reforms in the Harmonization of U.S. Patent Law 1991
- Equitable Patent Protection for the Developing World 1989
- Statement for the Subcommittee on Courts, Civil Liberties and the Administration of Justice for Hearings on H.R. 1556, the Transgenic Animal Patent Reform Act 1989
- Experimental Price Variability and Consumer Response: Tracking Potato Sales with Scanners 1986
- Projecting Adoption Rates: Application on an Ex Ante Procedure to Biotechnology Products 1985
- Urner Barry Shell Egg Quotes: How Good Are They? 1984
- Estimating Demand Irreversibility Under Large Price Changes Using Experimental Data 1983
- Fishing Cooperatives in Northern New England 1983
- A Demand Analysis of Bob Calves for Veal and Feeder Calf Use in the Northeast 1982
- Effects of Changes in Crop Reports and Market News on the Northeast 1982
- Evaluating Food Warehouse Efficiency Using Residual Analysis 1982
- Explaining Productivity Differences in Grocery Warehouses 1981
- Food Price Reporting: Evaluation and Opportunities for Consumers 1981
- Marketing Alternatives for Northeastern Dairy Beef and Feeder Calves 1981
- Predicting the Direct Benefits of a Food Price Reporting or Preference Changing Program 1981
- Vertical Exchange Relationships in the Great Lakes Yellow Perch Industry 1981
- Direct Wholesale Marketing Opportunities for New York State Livestock Producer 1980
- Improving Grocery Distribution Center Productivity: Suggestions for the Short and Long Run 1980
- Price, Quantity and the Brand Image: Evidence from Consumers' Union 1980
- Vertical Exchange Relationships and Performance in the Great Lakes Yellow Perch Industry 1980
- Market Functions, Scale Economies, Revenue Requirements and the Plight of the Northeast Livestock Auction Industry 1979
- The Supply and Demand for Yellow Perch, 1979
- Marketing Systems for Warm Water Aquaculture Species in the Upper Midwest 1978
- Fresh Fish Marketing in Guatemala 1974
Teaching
teaching overview
- AEM 1220: Entrepreneurship in the Life Sciences A large speaker series class intended to inform and inspire students with divergent backgrounds interested in entrepreneurship in the life sciences. Class considers both business topics like funding and products from lactose-free milk to biosensors. AEM 3350 International Technology Marketing of Biotechnology. I teach in the area of marketing of technologies with emphasis on life forms and intellectual property rights. Markets are both domestic and international.
teaching activities
- AEM-3310: Introduction to Business Regulation - Spring 2013
- AEM-3350: International Technology Marketing of Biotechnology - Spring 2013
- AEM-7000: Individual Study in Applied Economics and Management - Spring 2013
- AEM-7900: Graduate-Level Thesis Research - Spring 2013
- AEM-8900: Master's Level Thesis Research - Spring 2013
- AEM-9900: Doctoral-Level Thesis Research - Spring 2013
- AEM-4970: Individual Study in Applied Economics and Management - Fall 2012
- AEM-7000: Individual Study in Applied Economics and Management - Fall 2012
- AEM-7900: Graduate-Level Thesis Research - Fall 2012
- AEM-8900: Master's Level Thesis Research - Fall 2012
- AEM-9900: Doctoral-Level Thesis Research - Fall 2012
- AEM-3310: Introduction to Business Regulation - Spring 2012
- AEM-3350: International Technology Marketing of Biotechnology - Spring 2012
- AEM-7000: Individual Study in Applied Economics and Management - Spring 2012
- AEM-7900: Graduate-Level Thesis Research - Spring 2012
- AEM-8900: Master's Level Thesis Research - Spring 2012
- AEM-9900: Doctoral-Level Thesis Research - Spring 2012
- AEM-4940: Undergraduate Special Topics in Applied Economics and Management - Fall 2011
- AEM-4970: Individual Study in Applied Economics and Management - Fall 2011
- AEM-7000: Individual Study in Applied Economics and Management - Fall 2011
- AEM-7900: Graduate-Level Thesis Research - Fall 2011
- AEM-8900: Master's Level Thesis Research - Fall 2011
- AEM-9900: Doctoral-Level Thesis Research - Fall 2011
Service
service to the profession
- Food and Agricultural Marketing Policy Section of the AAEA Chairperson 2000 - 2001
- Farm Foundation Member - 2000
Background
education and training
- Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, University of Wisconsin 1978
- M.S. in Resource Economics, University of Rhode Island 1974
- B.A. in Geography, University of Washington 1968
awards and honors
Other
college
- CALS
research keyword
- Biotechnology
- Intellectual Property Rights
- Technology Transfer
name prefix
- Professor