The early modern patent system existed at a time when religious belief was of significantly more importance than it is now. The impact of the Protestant nature of England, and that of Puritan thought (understood broadly), on the patents of the time is an underexplored aspect of their history. There are four ways in which the religion can be linked to the operation, and limitation of patents under Elizabeth, and the Stuart kings. First, a prime motivation for the importation of new technology into England was to strengthen the economy, in part, to make more difficult an invasion by Catholic Spain. Second, the 17th century curtailing the rights of the Crown to grant patents fits well with the Puritan actions against royal tyranny. Third, one of the key policy bases of the system-the promotion of employment-reflected the belief in the value of labour. Finally, while this is overemphasized by some, there is a link between 17th century Christian thought and the Enlightenment-thereby tying spiritual beliefs with the inventions that started the Industrial Revolution. Taken together, these aspects suggest that religion at least supported a number of the features of the patent system of the time.

中文翻译：

---

宗教与早期现代专利制度，1560-1660

早期现代专利制度存在于宗教信仰比现在重要得多的时期。英格兰的新教性质和清教徒思想（广义上的理解）对当时专利的影响是其历史中未被充分探索的方面。有四种方式可以将宗教与伊丽莎白和斯图亚特国王的专利的运作和限制联系起来。首先，将新技术引入英国的主要动机是加强经济，部分原因是为了让天主教西班牙的入侵更加困难。其次，17 世纪限制王室授予专利的权利与清教徒反对王室暴政的行动非常吻合。第三，该制度的关键政策基础之一——促进就业——体现了对劳动价值的信念。最后，虽然有些人过分强调了这一点，但 17 世纪的基督教思想与启蒙运动之间存在联系，从而将精神信仰与启动工业革命的发明联系起来。综上所述，这些方面表明宗教至少支持当时专利制度的一些特征。