myriad-genetics
Judges refuses to block lawsuit over patenting genetic tests
In May, the ACLU announced that it was suing to invalidate a patent that covers testing for genetic variants associated with breast cancer. The suit targeted Myriad Genetics, which licenses the patent, and the University of Utah officials that licensed it to them, but also targets the US Patent and Trademark Office, which allowed this form of gene patent in the first place. In a move that surprised no one, each of the three defendants filed motions to have the case against them thrown out.
Continue reading »Judge OKs Challenge to Human-Gene Patents
A federal judge ruled Monday that a lawsuit can move forward against the Patent and Trademark Office and the research company that was awarded exclusive rights to human genes known to detect early signs of breast and ovarian cancer. The first-of-its-kind lawsuit by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Public Patent Foundation at the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law claims that the patents violate free speech by restricting research. U.S.
Continue reading »ACLU: Human Gene Patents Infringe Speech
The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the Patent and Trademark Office and a research company awarded exclusive rights to human genes known to detect early signs of breast or ovarian cancer. The group claims the patents violate speech by restricting research. The novel case, if successful, opens the door to challenges of a host of other patented genes: about one-fifth of the human genome is covered under patent applications and claims.
Continue reading »
