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PIPRA’s Winter 2007 quarter newsletter:
Click to Download- Newsletter-Issue 7-Winter 2007

HOME PURPOSE BACKGROUND ACTIVITIES PARTICIPANTS PUBLICATIONS CONTACT US PIPRA PORTFOLIO JOB OPPORTUNITIES

PIPRA and MIHR announce the release of our new IP Handbook at BIO 2007 in Boston on May 6. View the press release. For more information on the IP Handbook or to place an order, visit www.IPhandbook.org

The beta version of the PIPRA agricultural IP database is now on-line for public access.  Please visit it at: http://pipra.m-cam.com.  Over 6600 patents and patent applications from 45 different countries are now searchable by many fields, including licensing status.  The data represent the agricultural portfolio of 27 universities and non-profit research institutions.

PIPRA and McGill University’s Centre for Intellectual Property Policy have signed an MOU and look forward to future work together. In addition to our members, PIPRA has a broad network of affiliated institutions that provide a strong base for collaborative activities.

To download PIPRA’s inter-institutional Memorandum of Understanding click here.

Humanitarian Use Reservation of Rights Licensing Language

PIPRA's members and our pro bono attorneys at Morrison and Foerster, have collaboratively developed licensing language for a humanitarian use reservation of rights. We welcome comments and queries regarding the language and encourage its widespread adoption among technology transfer professionals.

Membership Expanded to 45 Universities and Non-Profit Institutions in 13 countries

PIPRA's membership continues to grow, both within the United States, and internationally. A full list of PIPRA members and our Memorandum of Understanding can be found on the participants page. PIPRA membership is open to universities and non-profit research institutions. For more information on joining PIPRA, please contact Sara Boettiger by phone (530-754-6725) or email.

Development of Plant Transformation Vector with Maximal FTO

PIPRA is facilitating the design, construction, and testing of a plant transformation vector with maximal freedom-to-operate. PIPRA staff, a working group of leading plant transformation scientists, and PIPRA's pro bono attorneys are working together to create a vector with as many components as possible from the public domain or owned by PIPRA members with known licensing terms. The vector will be distributed on a royalty-free basis for humanitarian uses.

Resolution of the Board for International Food and Agriculture Development (BIFAD)

Whereas, BIFAD supports Secretary of State Colin Powell's and AID Administrator Andrew Natsios' announced priority for the prevention of famine and the reduction of hunger; and

Whereas, BIFAD supports the USAID intent to promote global economic growth as an essential component of a global anti-hunger strategy; and

Whereas, BIFAD recognizes the importance of scientific and agricultural biotechnology advances in achieving those aims; and

Whereas, BIFAD acknowledges that such advances are increasingly the subject of patent, plant varietal, and other forms of intellectual property protection; and

Whereas, BIFAD seeks to promote global respect for intellectual property rights while fostering the economic strength and agricultural production necessary to prevent famine and reduce hunger;

Therefore, BIFAD welcomes the initiative of the Rockefeller Foundation and the Meridian Institute to promote broad societal dialogue about the potential and role of agricultural biotechnology in contributing towards food security for the poor and excluded; and

Further, BIFAD supports the associated call by leading university presidents for a collective strategy for management of public sector intellectual property in agricultural biotechnology, as published in Science magazine; and

Further, BIFAD encourages the development of such a collective public sector intellectual property management strategy within the framework of the humanitarian and economic objectives enunciated by Secretary of State Powell and pursued by USAID.

-- Resolution adopted at a scheduled BIFAD public meeting, March 27, 2003,
   Washington, D.C.