Violating A Patent As Moral Choice

kuzmich writes "The Taiwanese government has announced that it will violate patent laws to manufacture a drug that can help fight bird flu virus. In doing so, they have spelled out their reasoning very clearly: 'We have tried our best to negotiate with Roche, it means we have shown our goodwill to Roche and we appreciate their patent. But to protect our people is the utmost important thing'. Not being in Taiwan, this makes me wonder how bad the situation would have to be for some of the other governments to follow a path of violating patent and copyright laws for the benefit of the general population. Are there precedents, procedures for doing so?"

Not right!

[GFLPraxis]

Patent laws are far more important than human lives; what gives them the right to do this?

Just kidding, of course. Good for Taiwan. Patent laws should not cause the death of people.

Obligatory Monty Python Quote...

[Daedalus-Ubergeek]

It has also now spread to Europe, with the latest possible case reported in an imported parrot in the UK.

No no he's not dead, he's, he's restin'! Remarkable bird, the Norwegian Blue, isn't it, eh? Beautiful plumage!

Re:Yikes

[smchris]

Roche is Swiss. I'm sure China, mainland or Taiwanese, quakes in fear at the thought of the Swiss navy launching an assault.

Re:Yikes

[cytoman]

Imagine that! The Swiss army armed with those deadly Swiss Army Knives!!!

Re:"Eminent Domain" for "Intellectual Property"

[headLITE]

Unfortunately, Disney and Pfizer have bought enough Senators to choke the Panama Canal

That is not the worst suggestion concerning what to do with some Senators I have heard by far.

Re:Government at its finest

[Waffle Iron]

Yeah, with those burdens, the drug companies sure have been having a hard time making ends meet lately. Maybe we need to set up a relief fund for them.

Re:A Simple Solution

[danharan]

Since there's already a market value for the drug, one which Taiwan refused to pay, you'll need to come up with another justification.

Market value with one seller? What drug are YOU on?

Re:Not right!

[Anonymous Coward]

where are the "open source" drugs?
I'm high on all of them

Re:Pish post

[tombeard]

Excuse my ignorance, I'm from the US. What is this "benefit of the general population" you speak of?

Re:Yikes

[Anonymous Coward]

hey it sounds better than some of his more recent plots anyway.

The Taiwan Corruption Budget

[Principal Skinner]

"Tiawan can afford the drug. The amount of money in the corruption-fueled grey economy of corrupt officials is more than enough to buy the drugs....It's not about lack of money in Tiawan, but about priorities of spending"

I just wish they would fix those priorities. Someday, I hope to hear the following exchange in a session of parliament in Taiwan:

"All right guys, we've got a serious crisis on our hands; we need to reset our budget priorities. Here's our priority list from last year:

1. Defense.
2. Corruption.
3. Social Security
4. Education

Now, the drug company is asking for a lot of money for this bird flu drug, and the money is going to need to come from somewhere. Personally, I'd like to see us cut back on our current Item Number Two a bit. Who's with me?"

[An awkward silence.]

"Come on guys, I know we all really like buying big houses for our friends and such, but could we maybe just, you know, ease up on it for a year or two? We'll just get this bird flu thing knocked out of the way and we can get back to business before you even notice anything's happened."

A murmur runs through the room. It grows louder. Heads shake, people are seen scribbling things on notepads. Finally, Li Fau-Ching, the oldest, most respected MP, stands up, and says, "I'd like to propose a 30% cut in corruption!" Gasps are heard on the floor. Another MP stands up, and says "I'll second". Another stands, and another. Somewhere, an upbeat pop tune starts playing. The bird flu drug advocate, a dashing young freshman with a doctor girlfriend, smiles. Maybe Taiwan can change, he thinks. Maybe.

Re:Yikes

[Anonymous Coward]

If you don't know [...] read Tom Clancy

You're kidding, right? Tom Clancy? I swear this place has turned into a regular kindergarten. Tom fucking Clancy? Who the fuck cares about Tom Clancy? Who fucking reads Tom Clancy?

Asshole.

Re:Not right!

[DerSenfmeister]

Like Utah's state-run monopoly on liquor sales?

Gotta make sure everyone can get their beer...

Re:Yikes

[StikyPad]

We do, when we need a laugh.

-The Military