patents

• What is a patent?

  A patent grants exclusive rights to an inventor.
• What does an inventor provide in exchange for a patent?

  The inventor discloses how the invention works.
• How long does a patent last in the UK?

  20 years, renewable every 5 years.
• What are Supplementary Protection Certificates?

  They extend protection for active ingredients in certain products.
• Why might some companies choose to keep their formulas secret?

  To avoid disclosure and maintain competitive advantage.
• When was the first known patent granted in the UK?

  In 1446, during Henry VI's reign.
• What are the main statutes governing UK patent law?

  The Patents Act of 1977 and 2004.
• What is the purpose of the European Patent Conventions?

  To harmonize international patent obligations.
• Where must a patent application be made in the UK?

  To the UK Intellectual Property Office in Newport.
• What does the Patent Co-operation Treaty allow?

  A single application for patents in multiple countries.
• What is the main goal of the EU patent system introduced recently?

  To create a single 'unitary' EU patent.
• What was the main issue with the EU Patent Court?

  The ceding of supreme jurisdiction to the court.
• What is the significance of the TRIPS Agreement?

  It requires robust patent protection among WTO members.
• What are TRIPS flexibilities?

  Legislative options that relax strict patent provisions.
• What was the purpose of the Doha Declaration?

  To reaffirm the importance of TRIPS flexibilities.
• What is a compulsory license?

  A license allowing use of a patented invention without consent.
• Which country successfully used a compulsory license in 2007?

  Rwanda.
• What was Jonas Salk's contribution to vaccine rights?

  He gave away the rights to the polio vaccine.
• How much revenue did Pfizer make from the COVID vaccine in Q1 2021?

  $3.5 billion.
• What percentage of COVID vaccine doses did wealthy countries secure by April 2021?

  More than 87%.
• What are the conditions for granting a patent according to the Patents Act 1977?

  New, involves an inventive step, industrially applicable.
• What types of inventions are excluded from patentability?

  Discoveries, artistic works, and mental acts.
• What is the maximum time allowed for a patent application specification?

  54 months.
• What is the significance of the case James Duncan Kelly, Kwok Wai Chiu v GE Healthcare Limited?

  Inventors were awarded £1.5 million for patents.
• What was the first mammal to be patented?

  The Onco-Mouse.
• What does Article 53(a) of the Biotech Patent Directive state?

  It excludes patents for cloning human beings.
• What is the Vacanti mouse known for?

  Having cartilage from a cow transplanted.
• What does the term 'state of the art' refer to in patent law?

  All matter made available to the public before the priority date.
• What is the significance of the Windsurfing case?

  It established criteria for obviousness in patents.
• What is the repair principle in patent law?

  You can repair a licensed article but not create a new one.
• What does FRAND stand for?

  Fair, Reasonable, and Non-Discriminatory.
• What was the outcome of Unwired Planet International v Huawei?

  UK courts could determine FRAND license terms.