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April 18, 2004

MALTA -- PATENT INFRINGEMENT PARADISE

A thought-provoking article in the Malta Independent Online - entitled "Malta is a Patent Haven for International Pharmaceutics Group" - outlining one company's primary reason for locating in Malta:  freedom from pesky patents and infringement lawsuits. 

Quoting Pharmaco spokesperson Stenthor Palsson, since "Malta, like Iceland, fell outside the patent jurisdiction of a number of pharmaceutical products" it was a natural fit providing the company with the opportunity to develop and stockpile generic drugs in anticipation of patent expiration in other markets.

Stockpiles of medicines in Malta and Iceland .... sounds like the beginning of a good intrique movie-of-the-week.

4/19/04 Update --  Thanks to Patently Obvious for linking to PHOSITA on this story.  Check them out -- great information and insightful analysis of patent related items.

4/20/04 Update -- Well, it looks like Malta will be joining the European Patent Community and will be a part of the European Patent Office.  Pharma companies will now have yet another country in which to translate claims and obtain patent protection once the EPO has examined and allowed a patent application.  With yet another country (and another filing and translation fee) and even more countries to join the party in the near future, the concept of an overarching EP Community patent is even more compelling.
 

Posted by Douglas Sorocco at 09:39 PM.
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