New Technique Makes Most Gene Patents Irrelevant

Billy the Mountain writes "This Scientific American article, Legal Circumvention, describes a technique for circumventing gene patents whereby living cells are coaxed into expressing genes, especially those genes currently held under patents. Although, would-be exploiters of genes are prevented by patent restrictions from constructing a particular sequence and replicating it, patent law cannot be enforced in instances where an existing cell or organism is caused to express any of these patented genes and proteins."

Comments

DMCA to the rescue

[Lictor]

Don't worry, I'm sure 'big pharm' will have E. coli and friends all classified as circumvention devices. Better start scraping that bacteria out of your stomach, lest Pfizer come knocking on the door...

The relevant issue here is...

[guttentag]

can one patent a technique for making other patents irrelevant?

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[rice_burners_suck]

Patents are stupid!!! Copyright sucks!!! Trademarks are crap!!! Ban intellectual property!!! Screw the establishment!!!

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Patent pending. Copyright (c) 2002, rice_burners_suck. All rights reserved. "Patents are stupid!!! Copyright sucks!!! Trademarks are crap!!! Ban intellectual property!!! Screw the establishment!!!" is a registered trademark of rice_burners_suck. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. This flamebait is protected by U.S. copyright law and international treaty. Do not make illegal copies of this flamebait. All violations are punishable by death per subparagraph 3,939,112 of DMCA XP 2004.

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Re:Internet routes around damage.

[rodgerd]

Genes want to be free!

(That explains the stirrings in my pants...)

No loophole there

[rnturn]

``...patent law cannot be enforced in instances where an existing cell or organism is caused to express any of these patented genes and proteins.''

Are they kidding? If it's alive a really good lawyer will find a way to sue it. Heh, heh.