1. Pharmaceutical companies & stupid patents over meds
A few months ago the Indian Supreme Court refused to allow one of the world leading pharmaceutical companies to patent a new version of a cancer drug. Novartis lost a 6 year legal battle since the court decided that a few minor changes and improvements to the drug did not amount to innovation deserving a patent. Had the court asserted that the drug is a new one, the manufacturer's (Novartis) control would extend over the new version of the drug. This judgment allows poor people to access medicines in cheaper and almost affordable to them prices. It also paves the way for similar rulings in the future in other countries as well.
A few months ago the Indian Supreme Court refused to allow one of the world leading pharmaceutical companies to patent a new version of a cancer drug. Novartis lost a 6 year legal battle since the court decided that a few minor changes and improvements to the drug did not amount to innovation deserving a patent. Had the court asserted that the drug is a new one, the manufacturer's (Novartis) control would extend over the new version of the drug. This judgment allows poor people to access medicines in cheaper and almost affordable to them prices. It also paves the way for similar rulings in the future in other countries as well.
[Ironically enough this drug was manufactured in the first place in the US mostly due to public funding and now it is under Novartis intellectual property (see techdirt's brief but concise account and the NYTimes).]
2. Publishers & copyright
India will raise in December the issue of the copyright of textbooks in the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). India will ask for the modification of the strict copyright criteria when it comes to the educational use of academic textbooks and the students' right to photocopy them.
India will raise in December the issue of the copyright of textbooks in the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). India will ask for the modification of the strict copyright criteria when it comes to the educational use of academic textbooks and the students' right to photocopy them.
3. Cyberspace & illegal interception of communications
India with Brazil and South Africa - the so-called IBSA Grouping - openly pointed out that the unauthorised practice of illegal interception of communications and data is a serious violation of national sovereignty and individual rights. Even though I am not 100% on the same side with these countries regarding their motives or even the precise way that they frame their disagreements, I have to give them that they stand up.
India with Brazil and South Africa - the so-called IBSA Grouping - openly pointed out that the unauthorised practice of illegal interception of communications and data is a serious violation of national sovereignty and individual rights. Even though I am not 100% on the same side with these countries regarding their motives or even the precise way that they frame their disagreements, I have to give them that they stand up.
Go India! In the Queen's name.
