Re: ``Nothing like a monopoly to get investors to cheer youon''

[James Love <love@cptech.org>]

Charles Behney wrote:
> Ironically, the study of herbal medicines is retarded because no one company can
> patent a natural plant's extracts, and no patents can be derived.
>

    This is untrue.  In the United States one can recieve use patents,
even when the substance itself cannot be patented.  The AZT patent has
long expired, so AZT is in the public domain. However, the idea of using
AZT to treat AIDS is patented, and Glaxo has a legal monopoly in most
areas of the world.  Levamisole, a drug used to treat sheep at 6 cents a
pill is a similiar story.  Only J&J can sell Levamisole to treat colon
cancer, which it does for $6 a pill.  

     Inventions can be patented.  Even inventions involving water or
air.  

  jamie

-- 
James Love, Director, Consumer Project on Technology
P.O. Box 19367, Washington, DC 20036, v202.386.8030 f202.234.5176
http://www.cptech.org, mailto:love@cptech.org