Myriad gains, we all lose
The US appeals court has upheld the patents for isolated human genes, ignoring scientists’ warning that it would obstruct vital research …
Small brother is watching you
Private policing of Internet backed by courts is leading to censorship that affects everyone
A myriad gene worries
Angelina Jolie’s dramatic disclosure has focused attention on gene patenting which has become a problematic legal question
The madness of software patents
India’s patent law excludes software per se, yet over a thousand patents have been granted
Crazy GM patent system
The Brazilian lawsuit against Monsanto’s royalty on soybean seeds exposes the irrational way in which laws apply to GM crops
The pirates come ashore
German Pirate Party’s strong showing in the May elections is a sign that anti-IPR movements resonate with the people
Old wisdom, new threats
Traditional knowledge has long been under threat but the proposed text of talks at World Intellectual Property Office is unlikely to protect it …
ACTA fury goes viral
Europe is on the boil over an anti-piracy bill that will curb Internet freedom but its impact on trade in generic medicines is not on the radar
High on broth, low on geography
Geographical indication tags are being handed out indiscriminately—with no strategy
Politics of the Internet
Regulating the Internet to keep it free of pressures from governments and corporate interests is turning tougher for the UN
Our Frugal Innovation
India is working on a model of inclusive innovation to provide solutions for people at the bottom of the heap. Will it work?
WHO OWNS OUR VEGGIES?
The patenting of a broccoli developed through conventional breeding in Europe is a disturbing trend since it violates the law on plant life
Blood on the Internet
Governments are censoring digital content on the ground that it infringes intellectual property rights or offends people. Can they be stopped?
Rising power of the knowledge commons
By ending ownership of ideas we can banish ignorance and change human history
The Avon lady lifts our biodiversity
Loopholes in the Biological Diversity Act being used to export India’s genetic material
The irrelevance of multilateralism
Rich countries gang up for a more strident intellectual property rights regime
Annoying the US, our way
Despite close cooperation with American enforcement officials, US unhappy with India’s report card
The Microsoft way
Wherein an Indian firm using pirated Microsoft software here is sued in the US by California state for using unfair trade advantage
Looming threat of a secretive trade pact
Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement will extend restrictive intellectual property laws globally
Medicines Pool Swirls
Drug companies are slowly joining the UN effort to offer life-saving patented medicines to poor countries but the terms are sometimes restrictive
Menacing US diplomacy
Specialist attachés are strenuously pushing maximalist intellectual property rules worldwide
The Smithsonian steps on the ants
Iconic museum files patent claim on fungi to control leafcutter ants—a well-known fact
WHOSE SEED IS IT ANYWAY?
The rich world’s mania for patenting seeds and pushing the UPOV agenda do not aid food security or biological diversity
Indications of a geographic muddle
Are Geographical Indications safeguarding the interests of growers and artisans?
Blacked out & hacked
The fight to protect Internet freedom turns into war of attrition as protests against US measures to curb piracy grow strident