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Ethico-legal issues in biomedicine patenting: A patent professional viewpoint

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Abstract

Over the last two decades, the ethical implications of patents for biological materials and processes have been the subject of spirited public debate between the many individuals and groups on which the patent system impacts. Whereas copyright, trade marks, and other species of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) are widely acceptable, the patent system evokes criticism from many quarters, especially in relation to the legal protection of inventions in the Life Sciences. Some of these criticisms expressed by prestigious public organisations are addressed here from the patent professional standpoint.

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Author notes

  1. R. Stephen Crespi

    Present address: Patent Controller for the British Technology Group, London, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Patent Consultant, 16 Kenlegh, PO21 3TS, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, United Kingdom

    R. Stephen Crespi

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  1. R. Stephen Crespi
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Correspondence to R. Stephen Crespi.

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Crespi, R.S. Ethico-legal issues in biomedicine patenting: A patent professional viewpoint. SCI ENG ETHICS 11, 117–136 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-005-0064-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-005-0064-6

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