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China has revoked Pfizer's patent over Viagra, a move that Lawmeme argues is a precursor to widespread dismissal of pharmaceutical patents.
In what appears to be the first pharmaceutical patent revocation, China has revoked the patent. Not long after the patent was granted, pharmaceutical producers (12 in this account) requested re-examination. It isn't quite clear yet exactly what happened at that re-examination. Some claim the patent failed the detailed description required by Article 26 of China's patent code. Others claim it failed the novelty requirement. Pfizer claims its patent still stands pending appeal. The Viagra patent was already poorly enforced, and now the prognosis looks even more bleak for Pfizer.Link
I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.