BackgroundofCompulsoryLicensingUnitedStates.pptVIP

Background of Compulsory Licensing in North America M. ANDREA RYAN IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT, AIPLA ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL, PATENTS WYETH/U.S.A. What is a Compulsory License? “Compulsory licensing takes place when a government allows a third party to produce a patented product or use a patented process without the consent of the patent owner.” WHO and WTO Joint Report Term does not appear in TRIPS Agreement TRIPS Article 31- “….use without authorization of the right holder” North American Perspective Mexico - compulsory licenses can be granted Canada- limited use of compulsory licenses USA- no compulsory licenses Mexico Compulsory Licenses can be granted: If granted patentee gets an additional 1 year to exploit after notice of license is given no working for three years non-working is unjustified by patentee applicant is technically capable of making Will not be granted if patentee was importing the patented product or a product obtained from a patented process (ie import from USA) Canada Significant statutory changes in October,1996 Liberal grant of compulsory licenses for pharmaceuticals was removed from law What Remains in Canada ? Three years from grant application for license may be made to Commissioner if there has been “abuse” of the exclusive rights If satisfied that abuse of rights has been established, compulsory license can be granted by Commissioner “Abuse of Rights in Canada” Demand in Canada for patented product is not being adequately met on reasonable terms Trade or industry in Canada is unfairly prejudiced by the lack of a license or a variety of other acts Very few compulsory licenses have been granted since 1996 USA 1910 - reasonable compensation for U.S. Government use of patented inventions 1917 - US Government war effort to create a patent pool for essential aircraft patents USA 1948 - US enacted 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1498 - no license is needed by the U.S. Government or contractors In protecting competition in mergers, l