ABSTRACT
Whatdoesthishistoryofintellectualpropertyrightsandthelifescienceindustries tellusthathaspresent-dayrelevance?Undoubtedly,theevolutionofthe internationalpatentsystemreflectsthedevelopmentofnewtechnologies,the growthofindustrialsectorsthatusethem,andtheincreasedimportanceofpatents toworldtrade.Butthesethreefactorsdonottellthewholestory.Eversincethelate nineteenthcentury(andearlierinafewcountries)patent-owningfirmshavebeen politicallyactiveinpatentregulationineveryeconomicallyadvancedcountry,as haveothergroupssuchaslawyersandorganizationsrepresentingpro-patent" businessinterests.Byandlarge,theyhavebeenquitesuccessfulincapturing-orat leastcloselycollaboratingwith-stateandregionalregulatoryagenciesdealingwith internationalcommerceandindustrialpolicy,tothepointthatthenationalinterest isoftentreatedasbeingidenticaltothedemandsofcorporations.Legislaturesthen tendtofallundertheinfluenceoftheseexpertpatentcommunities,withtheresult thatpatentsandotherIPrightsarereformedinwaysthatincreasinglyprioritizethe interestsofcorporationsoverthoseofthegeneralpublic.
