In todayês technological world, biotechnology is one of the most innovative and highly invested-in industries for research, in the field of science. This book analyses the forms and limitations of patent protection recognition for biotechnological inve

Since the discovery of recombinant DNA technology in the early 1970s, biotechnology has become an essential tool for many researchers and industries. The potential of biotechnology has spurred the creative genius of inventors seeking to improve the Nation's health, food supply, and environment. In 1980, the Supreme Court ruled that a living micro-organism could be patented. Subsequently, the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office held that certain types of plant and animal life constituted patentable subject matter. This special report, prepared by the Office of Technology Assessment of the United States Congress under, reviews U. S. patent law as it relates to the patentability of micro-organisms, cells, plants, and animals; as well as specific areas of concern, including deposit requirements and international considerations. The report includes a range of options for congressional action related to the patenting of animals, intellectual property protection for plants, and enablement of patents involving biological material.

Advances in modern biotechnology have produced profound and far-reaching implications for the relationship between humans, animals and the environment. As a result, a debate has arisen surrounding the legal, moral and social problems connected with this technology. A central part of this debate focuses on the role of moral considerations in the patent system as a form of regulation. This book examines this role and asks why in the context of biotechnological inventions morality has become an important issue. The origin, policy and legislative history of patent law in both the United States and member countries of the European Union is examined, with particular reference to the provisions relating to morality. Examining specific cases, the author elucidates the moral concerns associated with modern biotechnology, thus providing an important contribution to the debate and a valuable resource for all those working in this exciting field.

Helps practitioners understand the use issues involved in patenting biotechnological inventions; how to: avoid infringement, draft claims efficiently, clarify ownership of biotechnology patent rights, learn the significance of the Plant Variety Protection Act and the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. Also covers issues such as:scope of claim (including the broadening and narrowing of claims); enablement (including the working of an invention without undue experimentation); use concealment of best mode and determination of when the best mode is adequately disclosed; deposits of biological materials, including guidance as to whether applicants should submit materials to a depository.22Features and Benefits:2A response to the increased allowance of patent protection for biotechnological inventions and equally-increased commercialization of life forms2How to protect biotechnological inventions by bringing them into the intellectual property system2Loose–leaf binder, two volumes

The advent of modern biotechnology has seen the proliferation of the use of life forms for the creation of products. In tandem with this development, patent over life forms have grown proportionately as the biotechnology industry seeks to protect its investment. This has spawned a debate about the propriety of patenting life forms. This book explores the issues surrounding such patenting. There is a need to identify the reasons for the growth of such patenting, the issues raised, the concerns dealing with such patenting and the way in which countries, especially leading patent countries have sought to resolve the competing views.