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Scientific breakthroughs, particularly in biotechnology, are putting huge pressures on patent law. In a spectacular example in 2000, the English poet and part-time casino waitress, Donna MacLean, sought a patent application in respect of herself. She explained that she had satisfied the usual patent criteria: she was novel, inventive and useful, and had many industrial applications.
This collection considers a wide range of biological inventions - micro-organisms, plants and flowers, transgenic animals, genes, express sequence tags and research tools, as well as genetic diagnostic tests and pharmaceutical drugs.
It compares and contrasts the approaches of different jurisdictions. American and Canadian developments are considered and there is a particular focus on the complexities of the 1998 European Union Directive on the Legal Protection of Biotechnological Inventions, together with decisions of member states, such as The Netherlands, and peripheral states, like Iceland. The book also focuses on recent developments in Australia – especially in the wake of parallel policy inquiries into gene patents and access to genetic resources.
Patent Law and Biological Inventions is a special issue (Volume 24 No 1) of the journal Law in Context. The contents are listed below. You can read the abstract for each chapter by clicking on its title.
You can purchase a single copy of this issue through this page, or subscribe to the journal from the journal page.
CONTENTS
After the Gold Rush: Patent Law and Biological Inventions Matthew Rimmer European Bio-Protection Laws: Rebels with a Cause Margaret Llewelyn Essential Derivation, Law and the Limits of Science Jay Sanderson Rules v Standards for Patent Law in the Plant Sciences Mark D Janis Wind of Change: In re Fisher and the Evolution of the American Biotechnology Patent Law Yann Joly Cooperative Strategies for Facilitating Use of Patented Inventions in Biotechnology Dianne Nicol and Janet Hope Something is Rotten in the State of Iceland: deCODE Genetics, Population Research and Informed Consent Jennifer French Regulating Access to Biological Resources: The Market Failure for Biodiversity Conservation Charles Lawson
REVIEWS
There is an emphasis on different policy approaches [to patent law] across jurisdictions … The different approaches are discussed and analysed very well.
There is also extensive discussion of the commercialisation of gene patents and drug. [sic] Much of the analysis is at an academic level – not a criticism – and likely to be of little value to the practising lawyer. Those involved in policy development on the other hand will find the various discussions useful and challenging.
An essay by Dianne Nicol and Janet Hope operates at a more practical level in its detailed discussion of legal mechanisms available to facilitate the use of patented inventions. There is a useful discussion of compulsory licensing, cross licensing, open source licensing and “intellectual property exchange clearing houses”. …
The presentation of concepts in relatively short essays simplifies the task for the reader by presenting the analysis in an easily digested size. Highly recommended as an introduction to a wide range of thinking in an increasingly relevant area to humankind.
Law Letter (Journal of the Law Society of Tasmania), Winter 2007
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Published December 2006
Publisher The Federation Press
Paperback/164pp
ISBN 9781862876378
Australian RRP $39.95
Direct Price $35.00
International Price $35.00
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