Cancer Mouse Not Patentable in Canada

Proaxiom writes "The Globe and Mail is reporting the Supreme Court of Canada ruled today that OncoMouse, the so-called 'Harvard Mouse' that is especially prone to cancer, cannot be patented under Canadian law. The hapless rodent still enjoys patent protection in the U.S., Japan and much of Europe. So there is at least one place where higher life forms cannot be patented, but I am not familiar enough with the intricacies of international intellectual property treaties to figure out the consequences of the discrepancy. I'm sure countless IANAL's will be willing to offer opinions."

Comments

Re:Karmic suicide

[Idarubicin]

If you're from the United States, I have two and a half words for you: George Bush Jr.

If you're from anywhere else, yeah--I saw that one coming. [rueful grin]

Re:Mouse Smuggling

[Angry White Guy]

I don't care what anyone says, that's not an interface, it's an output device!