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Nature 447, 16-17 (3 May 2007) | doi:10.1038/447016a; Published online 2 May 2007

Open Innovation Challenges

naturejobs

  • PhD student position

    • Laval University Cancer Research Center
    • Quebec city, CANADA
  • Chair

    • McMaster University
    • Hamilton, Canada

Patenting the obvious?

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A patent ruling has delivered a serious blow to one US state's hopes of a biotechnology boom. Erika Check reports.

A preliminary decision by the US Patent and Trademark Office to revoke three stem-cell patents is being viewed as a victory for stem-cell researchers — except in Wisconsin, the state that held the patents.The researcher and advocacy groups that challenged the patents say they hope their success will spark a wider debate on whether too many sub-quality biotechnology patents are being issued in the United States.