In some
countries, pharmaceutical products are not patentable.
Some kinds of information products simply cannot be
protected by intellectual property rights. Scientific principles cannot, and
under current U.S. law, data bases cannot be patented, on the argument that
they are not original products, but merely arrangements of facts generally
available. While mathematical algorithms and some biological products can be
patented under current U. S. law, this is controversial and some people feel it
should be changed. Surgical procedures are now being patented, although this is
rather new and controversial. In some
countries, pharmaceutical products are not patentable.
Fixed Costs
