IT WAS ultimately the narrative of a change foretold. The Narendra Modi government has notified amendments to the rules governing India's Patent Act, coolly ignoring the protests and petitions against these changes, which would alter the character of the country's unique law on patents rights and obligations. As top law firms welcome the amendments and rejoice that these changes bring India's patent law "almost in line" with those of the US, it underscores the serious consequences for patient and voluntary groups that campaign on public health concerns.
The ostensible aim of the amendments was to streamline the working of the Indian Patent Office, which was clearly needed. In the process of improving efficiency, the amendments have gone way beyond the spirit and limits set by the Patent Act, which was enacted in 2005 after years of debate, soul searching and wide-ranging consultations between political parties and civil society to meet the country's obligation under new World Trade Organization rules. The government in power then was the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance under Manmohan Singh, and it is no secret that the communist bloc, led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI (M) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), were instrumental in ensuring that the law safeguarded public health issues while ensuring the rights of innovators. But then, institutional memory is short in the present ruling regime.
Esta historia es de la edición May 01, 2024 de Down To Earth.
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Esta historia es de la edición May 01, 2024 de Down To Earth.
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THE ALCHEMY OF EMOTIONS - SL'OTH
As with all personality traits, laziness is a combination of genes and environment
THE AL'CHEMY OF EMOTIONS - WRATH
Anger is an emotional programme, a part of natural selection that helps us bargain for better treatment
THE AL'CHEMY OF EMOTIONS - GLUTTONY
We have been captured by food and it is driving us to do something that is arguably not good for us
THE AL'CHEMY OF EMOTIONS - ENVY
Envy gives people a fundamental desire for a higher social rank
THE AL'CHEMY OF EMOTIONS-L'UST
Love, lust, attachments are basic brain circuits. They are too primitive a system and will never change
THE AL'CHEMY OF EMOTIONS - GREED
Evolutionary biology sees greed as a way to increase your chances of survival
THE AL'CHEMY OF EMOTIONS
I felt for the tormented whirlwinds Damned for their carnal sins Committed when they let their passions rule their reason
INVISIBLE THREAT
Significant presence of microplastics in Puducherry’s agricultural soil raises concerns for soil and crop health
Feeding off each other
VEGETARIAN MOVEMENTS IN SOUTH ASIA AND THE WEST GREW WITH MUTUAL SUPPORT AND VALIDATION
India's unhealthy patent amendments
Despite strong pleas, the Modi regime has changed the rules to impose a cost on those who challenge faulty patents