Intellectual Property

OECD Guidelines on Licensing of Health Care Genetics

In February 2006, OECD member countries adopted the Guidelines for the Licensing of Genetic Inventions.  The Guidelines offer Principles and Best Practices for the licensing of intellectual property rights that relate to genetic inventions used for the purpose of human health care.

 

Guidelines for Human Biobanks and Genetic Research Databases

Guidelines being developed by OECD member countries and their national experts aim to develop principles and best practices on the numerous issues that arise with respect to human genetic research databases including, among others, funding mechanisms, governance structure, privacy and confidentiality policies. A public consultation on the current draft Guidelines will be launched in April 2008 and completed by 16 May 2008.

 

Collaborative Mechanisms for the Management of Intellectual Property

Although the discussion of using such mechanisms in the life sciences is fairly recent, certain organisations have recommended that governments, the public sector and the private sector consider the development and use of collaborative mechanisms, within the life sciences and the field of biotechnology. 

 

Knowledge Markets

Knowledge markets encompass a number of different mechanisms where buyers and sellers can trade a variety of knowledge intensive goods and services.  Knowledge markets can include things like IP exchanges and patent pools; networking, matching or brokering services; clearing houses; and auctions.  Increasingly, there is interest in applying the concept of knowledge market to the life sciences.

 

Counterfeiting and Piracy of Pharmaceuticals

Counterfeiting and piracy of pharmaceutical products is an opportunistic crime endangering the lives of patients and consumers. This publication, forthcoming in 2008, examines the nature of counterfeiting and piracy activities from the health and safety, public security, business and intellectual property perspective.

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