SARS Researcher Files Preemptive Patent Application

ocean-navigator writes " CP Press is reporting that the B.C. Cancer institute has filed a defensive patent application to ensure the information remains in the public domain. The lead scientist asked specifically for his name to NOT be on the application, as he feels that he made a discovery, not an invention. Nice to see a few people with principles, in my own backyard too!"

Comments

All those Chinese Infringers--Call WIPO!

[Anonymous Coward]

This would mean that anyone who gets SARS is obviously a dirty rotten patent infringer, as they are making, using and (well, hopefully not selling) the "invention."

Someone should call WIPO and get the Chinese government to enforce patent rights and stop this blatant piracy of our technology.

And everyone should deeply respect the plethora of enforceable patent rights attached to a $75 U.S. provisional patent application.

Retribution

[dalran]

Hmm, if I get a patent for something like ie the DNA sequence of the SARS virus should I not also be accountable for it's use? In this case shouldn't victims be able to sue the patent holder for damages??

Note that the linked article mentions a firm in Hong Kong that is seeking to patent the entire SARS virus.

Btw... how are mutations handled? Are they to be considered derived works??

Oh! So your the creator of SARS...

[pestihl]

Seems to me those who hold the patents should pick up the tab for the mess.