The Law and Strategy of Biotechnology Patents is a compendium of articles that sets to address and unravel the complexities of the laws and issues that apply to biotechnology inventions. The purpose of the book is to explain patent law, with special emphasis on the central role of patent claims, statutory subject matter, novelty, non-obviousness, disclosure considerations, and operation of the judicial system in relation to patents. The text also unveils the extent to which biotechnology merges established law with new requirements. Lawyers, inventors, researchers, technology development and transfer agents, venture capitalists, investment bankers, entrepreneurs, and researchers will find this book an important source of information and knowledge.

The ambiguity and uncertainty inherent in the field ofgenetic science poses challenges in the application oftraditional patent principles to genetic inventions. Thisbook unravels the complex doctrines of Patent Law.

Patents protecting biotechnological invention are becoming ever more important. Because biotechnology has many differences with respect to other technologies, lessons learned in other fields of technology cannot simply be transferred to adopt a suitable strategy for dealing with biotechnology inventions. In this volume, general aspects of biopatent law will be discussed. This involves questions of patentability, including ethical issues and issues of technicality, as well as questions of patent exhaustion in cases were reproducible subject matter, like cells or seeds, is protected. Moreover, active and passive patent strategies are addressed. Further, insight will be given into patent lifetime management and additional protective measures, like supplementary protection certificates and data exclusivity. Here, strategies are discussed how market exclusivity can be extended as long as possible, which is particularly important for biopharmaceutical drugs, which create high R&D costs.

As individuals and companies realise the importance of their inventions, issues surrounding patent laws and practices are taking centre stage around the world. Patent Strategy introduces researchers to patent applications and patent portfolios. With minimum use of ‘legal jargon’ it provides the technical professional with the assistance and advice they require to understand the legal complexities that they may encounter before and during a patent application. It also discusses the responsibilities of the researcher after patent applications have been filed and the role the researcher can play in the maintenance of a global patent estate. This updated edition of the best selling book has been expanded to keep pace with modern day movements and addresses the global issue surrounding intellectual property. Including new information on areas such as software and biotechnology it shows the techniques that can be used by individuals and academic inventors to protect their work and is the ideal reference source. Bridges the gap between the legal system and scientific research and avoids legal jargon Details the reasons behind patents, their importance and relevance to all researchers and the strategy needed for filing for a patent Focuses on the strategy and reasons rather than just being a textbook of patent law Presents an overview of tools a researcher can use while working with a patent attorney or agent Adopts a readable style that explains the basics right up to developing a strategy Essential reading for all those who wish to keep pace and protect their work Reviews from previous edition: "...I can recommend it for technology managing types. Does a nice job of explaining many aspects of the patent system and patent strategies with a minimum of jargon and case citations..." —Internet Patent News "...provides an enlightened approach to a complex subject. It is relatively easy to read and follow..." — Polymers Paint and Colour Journal "This handy book provides the researcher with useful guidance on how to maximize the benefit of their inventiveness to themselves and their organization". —Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology