This book analyses the history of the international patent regime and the life science industries, both of which can be traced back to the late 19th century. The development of patent law is inextricably linked to expanding capacities to elucidate, manipulate and commercially exploit the molecular properties of micro-organisms, plants, animals and other organic raw materials. The story of the life science industries begins with the European synthetic dyestuff firms and culminates in presen...

This book is a history of medicines and the commercial actors that make and sell them, covering the 140 years since the modern pharmaceutical industry came into being. It is written in a lively and accessible way, aiming at a general audience that combines historical narrative with fascinating case studies on drug discovery and commercialization, from the rat poison that became warfarin, to a cardiovascular treatment that was turned into Viagra. In a non-partisan way it also examines some ...

Biogenetic resources - the critical biological and chemical materials that underpin so much of medicine, both modern and traditional, agriculture, and wider economic activity in so many fields - are at the centre of heated debate regarding their use, development, and ownership, and the issues of ethics and equity that impinge on all of these factors.This book is a comprehensive examination of the key issues, institutions and ideologies in this area, presenting definitions and expla...

This text examines the international agreements governing trade in genetic resources - crucial resources for world agriculture, food security and large industries such as pharmaceuticals. Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) in these resources are critical for those involved in the trade, including industry and developing countries. The book analyzes the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), World Trade Organization agreements and other agreements. It explains how they can be integrated...

This book integrates a science and business approach to provide an introduction and an insider view of intellectual property issues within the biotech industry, with case studies and examples from developing economy markets. Broad in scope, this book covers key principles in pharmaceutical, industrial, and agricultural biotechnology within four parts. Part 1 details the principles of intellectual property and biotechnology. Part 2 covers plant biotechnology, including biotic and abiotic st...

This book examines the social impact of intellectual property laws. It addresses issues and trends relating to health, food security, education, new technologies, preservation of bio-cultural heritage and contemporary challenges in promoting the arts. It explores how intellectual property frameworks could be better calibrated to meet socio-economic needs in countries at different stages of development, with local contexts and culture in mind. A resource for policy-makers, stakeholders, non...

Nuestro derecho y su filosofía fueron concebidos para un mundo económico material signado por el reparto de la escasez y por la división en territorios. El enfoque positivo del derecho no se puede concebir sin el criterio territorial. Por ejemplo, siendo el criterio territorial su piedra angular, basta quitarle el concepto de territorio para que se derrumbe la Teoría pura del derecho de KELSEN. Así es fácil entender que el mundo virtual de Internet marcado por la abundancia en vez de las l...