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A survey of members of the legal profession involved in cases requiring the use of scientific experts reveals strong support for court-appointed experts – but little evidence of direct experience to back up this feeling.
The conditions under which research is exempt from European patent law are ambiguous, and current judicial interpretation is too restrictive. A more liberal approach would be a welcome boost to small research-based companies.
The worldwide registration by a pharmaceutical company of the word taxol as a trademark suggests that procedures for registering such marks needs to be tightened.
After six years of debate, the European Commission's attempts to harmonize biotechnology legislation still face opposition over the patenting of genes. Recent legal experience suggests that its efforts are unnecessary.
In considering the grounds on which to award patents for applications of germline gene therapy, the European Patent Office may have to decide on the basis of "morality". This should not be its job.
