And if Amazon does not step forward, and the product makes it to market without any objection from the owner of the infringed-upon patent, is any punitive action justified?
Drug companies often file patent upon patent upon patent for the same drug, protecting different aspects of formulation, different clinical applications, or even the chemicals that the body turns the drug into once it has been taken.
Worse, the current system becomes complicated as drug companies file patent upon patent to try to extend the life of a single drug turning to litigation to try to stifle generics.
Article 30 permits an early working provision, which allows generic companies to obtain product approval and enter the market immediately upon patent expiration.
This Convention would not have the power to impose these prices upon patent-owning companies directly, but it could do so indirectly, by promoting and facilitating 'international compulsory licensing' whenever a patent-owner charges prices above the reasonable level.
Judge T. John Ward of Federal District Court said Intel had infringed upon two patents owned by Intergraph, said Jeannie Robison, a spokeswoman for Intergraph, based in Huntsville, Ala.
"It is the policy of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company to rely upon its patents to protect its interests," concluded the letter, from I. J. Strachan, chief executive officer.
Intel filed a lawsuit against VIA last Wednesday, charging that the Southeast Asian company was infringing upon Intels patents.
Following the first lawsuit, Intel sent a letter dated May 12 , 1999 to many of its major customers, warning them that VIAs new chipset infringed upon Intels patents.
