The Sidelines column in the 10 November 2005 issue (Nature 438, 136; 200510.1038/438136a) incorrectly characterized a survey of intellectual-property issues by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The item should have said that 40% of survey participants, not 40% of all AAAS members, reported that their research was affected by difficulties in obtaining patented technology.