Patent Law and Biological Inventions
By: Matthew Rimmer
About This Book
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.
AI Overview
"Patent Law and Biological Inventions" by Matthew Rimmer is a collection of papers that explores the intersection of patent law and biological inventions. Here is a comprehensive overview of the book:
Key Themes
The book delves into various aspects of patent law as it pertains to biological inventions, including:
- Micro-organisms: The legal frameworks governing the patentability of micro-organisms and their applications.
- Plants and Flowers: The patenting of plant varieties and the implications for agriculture and horticulture.
- Transgenic Animals: The legal considerations surrounding the patenting of genetically modified animals.
- Genes and Express Sequence Tags: The patentability of genetic material and the role of express sequence tags in genetic research.
Plot Summary
The book is not a narrative but a collection of scholarly essays and articles. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the legal issues surrounding biological inventions, including the criteria for patentability, the ethical implications, and the regulatory frameworks in place. Each chapter or paper in the collection addresses a specific area of biological invention and its corresponding patent law issues.
Critical Reception
While there is no specific critical reception available in the sources provided, the book is likely to be well-received by scholars and practitioners in the field of intellectual property law due to its comprehensive coverage of complex legal issues. The book's focus on practical applications and theoretical frameworks makes it a valuable resource for those interested in the intersection of law and biology.
Edition and Publication
The book was first published in 2006 by the Federation Press. It is part of the "Law in Context" series, which aims to provide in-depth analyses of legal issues within their broader social and economic contexts.
Additional Resources
For further information, readers can refer to the following sources:
- SSRN: A paper by Matthew Rimmer titled "Patent Law and Biological Inventions" is available on SSRN, which provides a detailed analysis of the subject matter.
- Open Library: The book is listed on Open Library, providing access to the publication details and possibly excerpts or summaries.
- Trove: The National Library of Australia's Trove database lists the book, offering additional metadata and possibly reviews or citations.
Overall, "Patent Law and Biological Inventions" by Matthew Rimmer is a seminal work that provides a thorough examination of the legal frameworks governing biological inventions, making it an essential read for those interested in intellectual property law and its applications in biotechnology.