[Ip-health] Indian Patent law victory - A Note of Thanks

[aidslaw]

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Dear friends and colleagues,

We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the commitment, assistan=
ce and support of our friends in India and abroad throughout the Novartis l=
itigation. The Madras High Court judgment upholding the validity of the key=
 public health safeguard of India's Patent Act - Section 3(d) has been an i=
mportant victory for patients and health activists across the world.

The credit for the victory and the massive mobilisation of public sentiment=
 goes to many - too many for us to name or list. From international organis=
ations and NGOs who have been vital partners throughout the litigation and =
campaign, providing us with technical assistance and building this into the=
 truly global struggle that this has become to our local partners that have=
 included a diverse group of legal NGOs, PLHIV networks, health activists a=
nd other groups and individuals, who have stood side by side with us in thi=
s long and difficult legal battle.

We hope that in addition to the immediate victory, the alliances built duri=
ng this campaign will result in even greater accomplishments.

We still have some way to go before the victory is complete with the merits=
 case coming up (Novartis had filed two cases - one challenging the Indian =
law and the other the order rejecting their patent application for imatinib=
 mesylate - it is the latter that is yet to be decided). We will of course =
keep everyone posted on how that case proceeds.

But for now, we indulge in a moment of celebration with you all.

In solidarity,

Lawyers Collective HIV/AIDS Unit (aidslaw@lawyerscollective.org)    and    =
  Cancer Patients Aid Association (yksapru@cpaaindia.org)

For more information, please visit www.cpaaindia.org  and www.lawyerscollec=
tive.org


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