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Patently Absurd
Strong medicine for weak drug patents
@ljishnu Issue Date: Nov 30, 2012
Two patents being nullified in quick succession may not add up to a trend. But in this season of revocations, patient groups and public health lobbies and, of course, the generic drug industry are sniffing the promise of a new spring in these decisions even though both can be challenged in different forums.
Big tobacco blows new smoke rings
Issue Date: Nov 15, 2012
THE World Trade Organization (WTO) appears to be the last refuge of Big Tobacco. Losing their case filed in the Australian High Court against the country’s order that all cigarettes should be sold in plain packaging, that is, devoid of distinctive and colourful branding from December, the industry seems to have shifted its arena to the WTO.
The Smithsonian steps on the ants
Issue Date: Oct 31, 2012
Sometimes, the nicest of people do pretty unpleasant things. So uncharacteristic at times that you are forever left wondering why.
Looming threat of a secretive trade pact
Issue Date: Sep 30, 2012
When American policymakers complain repeatedly to their government that they are being kept out of the loop on a major trade agreement that’s under negotiation then you know something serious is afoot.
Myriad gains, we all lose
Issue Date: Sep 15, 2012
Does commerce always prevail over logic or the larger interests of mankind when patents are at stake? Decidedly so in the US, where patenting tends to run amok, especially by the software and pharmaceutical industries.
God’s Invincible Laddoo
Issue Date: Aug 31, 2012
So, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) which runs the country’s richest temple at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh has finally won its case to have a Geographical Indication (GI) or appellation for its laddoos. It has taken close to four years for the legal questions raised over the GI tag for a sweet sold at a temple to be brought to a close—and it has ended on a farcical note.
A nobel indictment of gene patenting
Issue Date: Aug 15, 2012
You could say that the god has spoken. James D Watson, discoverer of the double helix structure of DNA and winner of the 1962 Nobel Prize for Medicine, says patents on genes are unnecessary. And harmful. And burdens all of society.
Crazy GM patent system
Issue Date: Jul 15, 2012
Patent laws governing the use of genetically modified (GM) seeds are downright crazy. For one, royalty on GM seeds never ever ends.
The pirates come ashore
Issue Date: Jun 30, 2012
Which is the fastest growing political party in Europe? The surprise answer is Piratenpartei or the German Pirate Party, which is fast eclipsing the Green Party and the Left in Merkel country.
