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

[Charles Behney <charlesaugust@theriver.com>]

The patent for valium was a molecular mirror of the main constituent of valerian root.
Valium is patentable, valeric acid is not. THC variations would be patentable,
naturally occurring cannabinols are not.  That's what I meant about herbs and patents.



CAB

James Love wrote:

> 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