Over the past years we have witnessed patents related to in vitro diagnostic methods, as well as patents on human genes …. Although patents on diagnostics and patents on human genes are not novel, patents on genes for diagnostics are a rather unseen … combination. The grant by the European Patent Organisation (EPO) of patents covering the breast cancer gene (BRCA), its mutations …

Concerns have been expressed that gene patents might result in restricted access to research and health care. The … exponential growth of patents claiming human DNA sequences might result in patent thickets, royalty stacking and, ultimately, a …

plant breeding. This can be reached by restricting the scope of patents in plant breeding, and more specifically by … reinstating the exemption of patents on plant (varieties) or by introducing full breeder’s exemption in patent rights. Both … policy options that can be introduced simultaneously, such as tightening of the evaluation criteria for granting patents and …

Patents are a key element of our knowledge based economy. They are meant to operate as an instrument for fostering …

Recent years have seen a remarkable increase in patents in the field of information, communication and entertainment … (ICE) technology and biotechnology. The growth of patents in those areas has triggered serious concern about access to ICE … and genome related inventions, as the rise of patents may lead to “patent thickets” and royalty stacking, frustrating the …

The present paper explores the multi-layered relationship between plant patents, the right to food and competition law … property (IP) – thereby making a pivotal shift from plant breeder’s rights to patents – has possibly led to hampering effects …

key international standards with regard to patents were established. In that regard, TRIPS seemed to constitute einen …