Biotechnology And The Patent System

This title was first published in 2000. This work documents an international and interdisciplinary workshop on the ethical aspects of the patenting of biotechnological inventions, including genes, plants and animals. The public perception is discussed, along with how these perceptions relate to ethical, social and cultural factors. The legal framework in Europe is laid out by several experts in the field of patent law and the situation in the US is also briefly described. This edition also includes a general discussion of three important theories called upon to justify the patent system: the natural rights argument; the distributive justice argument; and the utilitarian argument. The chapter about the European Directive on the legal protection of biotechnological inventions has been updated. A selection of provisions from the August 1997 draft as well as the final text of the Directive, as adopted on 12 May, 1998, are discussed and commented upon. The patent provisions of the TRIP's Agreement (the Agreement on Trade Related aspects of Intellectual Property rights, concluded in 1994 as an Annex to the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization) are also discussed and criticized, paying particular attention to the implications for biotechnology patents. Finally, the question is asked whether the developing countries stand to gain anything from TRIPs. A look at the results of empirical research, conducted by commentators on the economics of patenting, reveals that the new patent regime may prove to entail significant costs for the developing countries. This second edition also contains material on the EU Directive on biotechnology patents adopted in May 1998, justificatory theories of the patent system and the TRIP's agreement on Trade Related aspects of Intellectual Property rights, concluded in the GATT (WTO) framework.

American patent law has reached an unprecedented crossroads, prodded by a landmark Supreme Court decision this spring and the prospect of sweeping new federal legislation this fall. At this critical time, Biotechnology and the Patent System: Balancing Innovation and Property Rights provides a timely look at the complex issues involved in making patent law for cutting-edge high-tech industries such as the biotechnology and computer software sectors.

This book offers a valuable contribution to contemporary legal literature, providing deep insights into the interface between law and genetics, highlighting emerging issues and providing meaningful solutions to current problems. It will be of interest to a broad readership, including academics, lawyers, policy makers and scholars engaged in interdisciplinary research. In the context of examining and analyzing the legal and social implications arising from the recent conjunction of biotechnology and intellectual property rights, the book particularly focuses on human genes and gene variations. Emphasis is placed on “patent law,” as a considerable percentage of genetic inventions are covered by patents. The book presents a comparative and critical examination of patent laws and practices related to biotechnology patents in the United States, Canada, European Union and India, in order to gather the common issues and the differences between them. The international patent approach regarding biotechnology is also analyzed in light of the constant conflict between differentiation and harmonization of patent laws. The book highlights the potential gaps and uncertainties as to the scope of numerous terms such as invention, microorganisms, microbiological processes, and essential biological processes under TRIPS. Also analyzed are the social and policy implications of patents relating to genetic research tools and genetic testing. The intricacies involved in providing effective intellectual property protection to bioinformatics and genomic databases are also examined. Bearing in mind the collaborative nature of bioinformatics and genomic databases, the book evaluates the pros and cons of open biotechnology and assesses the implications of extending intellectual property rights to human genetic resources, before explaining the ownership puzzle concerning human genetic material used in genetic research.

Essay from the year 2008 in the subject Law - Comparative Legal Systems, Comparative Law, grade: 1, University of Bremen, course: Seminar, 54 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: Major industries relating to inventions in marine biotechnology increasingly apply for patents. Most patents are applied for inventions that are derived from terrestrial biotechnology. However, it is recognized that marine biotechnology offers a high potential to yield inventions as well. Marine biotechnology can be divided into two main areas. First, development of commercially viable drugs obtained from marine bioprospecting and, second, development of marine genetically modified organisms for aquacultural and environmental purposes. A patent means intellectual protection for an invention. Intellectual protection confers the exclusive right upon the patent holder to sell the right of utilization of the invention to interested parties. The selling of licenses provide one important way of receiving revenues for the research done for the invention. The prospect of potential revenues provide the incentive for investment into biotechnological research and subsequent patenting of inventions arising thereof. The overall aim of this work is to illustrate the close interrelationship of science and law by using marine biotechnology and patents as an example. Section two provides an overview on the scientific side of marine biotechnology. It will define marine biotechnology and investigate current advancements in marine biotechnology. Additionally, it roughly explains the international patent system governing inventions in the biotechnological area and provide examples on patents related to marine biotechnology. Section three illustrates the criticism expressed against life form patents in marine as well as terrestrial biotechnology. It will describe the most important cases that have fueled controversial debates on life form patents until today. [...]

In todayês technological world, biotechnology is one of the most innovative and highly invested-in industries for research, in the field of science. This book analyses the forms and limitations of patent protection recognition for biotechnological inve

This book examines patent law and policy in biotechnology across the full lifecycle of the patent, focusing on the patent bargain and the public interest. It considers the central issues of how to strike an effective balance of rights, and whether public interest is adequately safeguarded - two issues that are particularly important in areas of rapidly emerging technology.

An academic work, this volume examines patent and intellectual property laws with reference to the biotechnical industries in both Europe and the United States.

. . . recommended to anyone interested in the thrilling subject of the relationship of IPRs and innovation. Ralf Uhrich, Journal of Intellectual Property This is an outstanding piece of scholarship. It will serve as a powerful stimulant for new research in the field and as a reliable guide for practitioners. Calestous Juma, Harvard University, US Intellectual property rights (IPRs), particularly patents, occupy a prominent position in innovation systems, but to what extent they support or hinder innovation is widely disputed. Through the lens of biotechnology, this book delves deeply into the main issues at the crossroads of innovation and IPRs to evaluate claims of the positive and negative impacts of IPRs on innovation. An international group of scholars from a range of disciplines economic geography, health law, business, philosophy, history, public health, management examine how IPRs actually operate in innovation systems, not just from the perspective of theory but grounded in their global, regional, national, current and historical contexts. In so doing, the contributors seek to uncover and move beyond deeply held assumptions about the role of IPRs in innovation systems. Scholars and students interested in innovation, science and technology policy, intellectual property rights and technology transfer will find this volume of great interest. The findings will also be of value to decision makers in science and technology policy and managers of intellectual property in biotechnology and venture capital firms.