1842771094 1842771086 Hb 9781842771082 Hb 9781842771099 Pb 1552660664 Canada 9781552660669 Canada 0864865147 So. Africa 9780864865144 So. Africa
Alternate Call Number
G 252 SHI.P
Summary
The kinds of ideas, technologies, identification of genes, even manipulations of life forms that can be owned and exploited for profit by giant corporations is a vital issue for our times. The author argues that this Western-inspired, unprecedented widening of intellectual property concepts does not in fact stimulate human creativity and the generation of kowledge. Instead, it is being exploited by transnational corporations to increase their profits at the expense of the health of ordinary people and of the age-old knowledge and independence of the world's farmers. Intellectual protection is being transformed into corporate plunder. Little wonder popular feeling runs so high against the WTO that polices this new intellectual order, and the pharmaceutical, biotech and other corporations that benefit from it.
Note
Originally published in India with the title Patents : myths & reality. 2001.
Formatted Contents Note
Introduction: Patents An Ethical Crisis The Role of Patents in History The Myth of Patents Threats to Biodiversity Biopiracy Can Seed be Owned? Profiteering from Disease Democracy or Dictatorship? The Way Forward Appendix: Patent Laws in India References.