Pravin ANAND

The presentation will concentrate on the main changes that have come about through the Patents Amendment Act 2002 concentrating on a hypothetical, which will illustrate some of the conflicts between Traditional Knowledge and Modern Patent Systems.

In particular, the interface between:-

1.                   Patent Laws
2.                 Traditional Knowledge
3.                Biodiversity Laws

 would be explored.

The paper would also examine procedural and substantive changes which foreign applicants ought to be aware of particularly in the fields of computer software, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

Finally, the paper would look at some recent cases and wide-ranging changes to the judicial system as a whole, which will strengthen patent litigation and build an injunction, damages and licensing culture.