Experts Gathered in International Conference on Biology Related Patents.

  In response to the growing international trend of protection over biological and medical intellectual properties, IPO on September 28, 2006 hosted “International Conference on Biology Related Patents” with a view to completing Taiwan’s biology related patent laws by taking international legislative and practical experiences as reference.

 

  Invited biology related patent experts included Bruce Lehman, former Commissioner of the US Patent and Trademark Office, Adrian Otten, Director of Intellectual Property Division of WTO Secretariat, as well as scholars and experts of biotechnology, all gathered to canvass disputed issues on experimental use exception, patentability of human embryonic stem cells, and enforcement and examination practices of animal/plant patents, etc. 

 

IPO indicated that there will be a number of Patent Act revisions regarding biotechnology patents with the focuses on: 1. the relevant research or testing conducted by pharmaceutical firms of generic drugs prior to the relevant drug patent term expires should be free from patent infringement claims; 2. the enforcement of animal/plant patents protection and the prospective conflict and cooperation between animal/plant patents and plant variety rights; 3. possible disputes that the relevant invention of human embryonic stem cells may go against public order and good moral. (2006.9)

/CCS