Slashdot Mirror
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?"
I, for one, welcome our new viral overlords.
I made a post on the Internet!
Well, I think our government would rather them violate a few IP laws for humanitarian reasons than put more resources at China's disposal.
It's all over the media: Obesity in the US is reported to be widespread and getting worse. There is some ongoing research into patentable anti-obesity drugs (nonpatentable aids already exist).
Should the US government break any resulting patents in order to treat obesity?
I'm under a different impression, but maybe that is because I read the companies annual reports.
Many government labs and large drug companies are researching a number of vaccines, antivirals and new antibiotics. There is also research into other areas like incontinence, diabetes, and insomnia.