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Violating A Patent As Moral Choice

kuzmich writes "The Taiwanese government has announced that it will violate patent laws to manufacture a drug that can help fight bird flu virus. In doing so, they have spelled out their reasoning very clearly: 'We have tried our best to negotiate with Roche, it means we have shown our goodwill to Roche and we appreciate their patent. But to protect our people is the utmost important thing'. Not being in Taiwan, this makes me wonder how bad the situation would have to be for some of the other governments to follow a path of violating patent and copyright laws for the benefit of the general population. Are there precedents, procedures for doing so?"

5 of 967 comments (clear)

  1. Not right! by GFLPraxis · · Score: 5, Funny

    Patent laws are far more important than human lives; what gives them the right to do this?

    Just kidding, of course. Good for Taiwan. Patent laws should not cause the death of people.

    1. Re:Not right! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      where are the "open source" drugs?
      I'm high on all of them

  2. Obligatory Monty Python Quote... by Daedalus-Ubergeek · · Score: 5, Funny
    It has also now spread to Europe, with the latest possible case reported in an imported parrot in the UK.


    No no he's not dead, he's, he's restin'! Remarkable bird, the Norwegian Blue, isn't it, eh? Beautiful plumage!
  3. Re:Yikes by smchris · · Score: 5, Funny

    Roche is Swiss. I'm sure China, mainland or Taiwanese, quakes in fear at the thought of the Swiss navy launching an assault.

  4. Re:Government at its finest by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 4, Funny

    Yeah, with those burdens, the drug companies sure have been having a hard time making ends meet lately. Maybe we need to set up a relief fund for them.