Overview

The book concludes that a fundamental restructuring of patent institutions is required, in which democratic oversight of patent policies would ensure meaningful realization of the right of everyone to access the benefits of science.

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9781783475926

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'Aurora Plomer explores international human rights, and its relevance to battles over intellectual property and science. Her work highlights the need for the benefits of scientific research to be fairly and equitably shared. Her work is an important original contribution to the literature on intellectual property, human rights, and the sociology of science.' -- Matthew Rimmer, Queensland University of Technology, Australia 'This remarkable book highlights and analyzes the inherent tensions and complementarities of patents with access to science, as materialized in the most prominent international human rights agreements. A must-read for anyone interested in one of the most crucial and debated questions of intellectual property, examined here from the perspective of its fascinating but complex interactions with human rights.' -- Christophe Geiger, University of Strasbourg, France 'This book offers an innovative and insightful reflection on the interplay between fundamental human rights and the intellectual property regime. It builds on Amartya Sen's theory of human capabilities in offering a fresh analysis of the the tension between the rights of inventors and the public interest in access to the benefits of science. The timeliness of this contribution is underscored by the growing scope of 'patentability' over genetic material and other life forms permitted by patent offices and superior courts in the United States and in Europe, as well as the entrenchment of corporate power at the expense of basic health needs through the extension and enforcement of intellectual property rights over essential medicines. Professor Plomer's argument for greater consideration of the public dimension is secured by her impressive archival study of the drafting history of the Article 27 Universal Declaration on Human Rights and Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.' -- John Harrington, Cardiff University, UK 'The relationship between patents, human rights and science raises fundamental questions for innovation and for access to the benefits of scientific endeavour. Yet the complexities of the underlying science and legal environment in which it operates cannot be underestimated. Aurora Plomer deftly navigates this terrain with great clarity and skill. The resulting book is timely, accessible and a thorough scholarly work that demystifies and throws new light on the interface between science and the law.' -- Duncan Matthews, Queen Mary University of London, UK

'Aurora Plomer explores international human rights, and its relevance to battles over intellectual property and science. Her work highlights the need for the benefits of scientific research to be fairly and equitably shared. Her work is an important original contribution to the literature on intellectual property, human rights, and the sociology of science.' -- Matthew Rimmer, Queensland University of Technology, Australia 'This remarkable book highlights and analyzes the inherent tensions and complementarities of patents with access to science, as materialized in the most prominent international human rights agreements. A must-read for anyone interested in one of the most crucial and debated questions of intellectual property, examined here from the perspective of its fascinating but complex interactions with human rights.' -- Christophe Geiger, University of Strasbourg, France 'In sum, Patents, Human Rights and Access to Science is an excellent book that scholars interested in the interplay of intellectual property, science and human rights should add to their reading list. Plomer is manifestly passionate about instituting significant reform in the global patent system to facilitate democratic oversight of patent policies and their compliance with human rights, and to ensure meaningful realisation of the right of everyone to access the benefits of science. Her argument is compelling. Let us hope that the international agencies created to defend universal human rights, as well committed individuals, patent offices, courts, non-governmental organisations and companies across the globe, work together to heed the sage advice offered in this book.' -- SCRIPT-ed - the Online Law and Technology Journal 'This book offers an innovative and insightful reflection on the interplay between fundamental human rights and the intellectual property regime. It builds on Amartya Sen's theory of human capabilities in offering a fresh analysis of the the tension between the rights of inventors and the public interest in access to the benefits of science. The timeliness of this contribution is underscored by the growing scope of 'patentability' over genetic material and other life forms permitted by patent offices and superior courts in the United States and in Europe, as well as the entrenchment of corporate power at the expense of basic health needs through the extension and enforcement of intellectual property rights over essential medicines. Professor Plomer's argument for greater consideration of the public dimension is secured by her impressive archival study of the drafting history of the Article 27 Universal Declaration on Human Rights and Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.' -- John Harrington, Cardiff University, UK 'The relationship between patents, human rights and science raises fundamental questions for innovation and for access to the benefits of scientific endeavour. Yet the complexities of the underlying science and legal environment in which it operates cannot be underestimated. Aurora Plomer deftly navigates this terrain with great clarity and skill. The resulting book is timely, accessible and a thorough scholarly work that demystifies and throws new light on the interface between science and the law.' -- Duncan Matthews, Queen Mary University of London, UK 'We are indebted, indeed, to Aurora Plomer for writing this book and for saying out loud and clearly the most important thing that needs to be said: we might be where we are, and it might not be the ideal place to be, but we should all - patent lawyers, scientists and citizens - take human rights seriously.' -- Law, Innovation and Technology

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Aurora Plomer, Law School, University of Bristol, UK

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