re: McPhDs - is this the future?

Google Bizkit — Tue, 12 May 2009 03:40:05 GMT

Wow , very interesting article , glad you posted that. It worries me a little bit about the quality of new PHDs , but i guess that might just be me.

re: McPhDs - is this the future?

Matthew Legge — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:51:29 GMT

I wonder if the students are more likely than normal to run into intellectual property issues with McDonalds? Especially on topics that might lead to a competitive advantage to the corporation.

From a cynical point of view I think there is a strong potential for a conflict of interest at Mc U that might affect the student's ability to publish and be recognised for their work outside the corporation. I wonder how that might be policed?

The article is not reporting the whole story, there is probably a whole host of checks and balances in the background. There may be a precedent in regulations/legislation related to apprenticeships that might be relevant.

Mind you, I am biased by the reported ferocity of the McDonalds legal team in the 'McLibel' case in Britain a few years back and more recently in Queensland. The IP lawyers of McDonalds jumped on a local firm sponsoring a rugby team because the name on the unifroms started with 'Mac'. Apparently McDonalds have a line in children's clothing that is not available in Australia (Hamburgler PJ's!) and this was a trademark infringement. From memory Maccas lost that case.

Something to watch closely...