Contents1 2 What is the News?3 About Blocktrack App:4 Features of the Blocktrack App: What is the News? Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras have developed a mobile app named “Blocktrack app”. About Blocktrack App: Blocktrack is a blockchain-based secure medical data and information exchange system for mobile phone applications. Purpose: The App aims… Continue reading IIT-M team develops “Blocktrack app” for healthcare information system
Category: Factly: Science and Technology
This category contains all Current Affairs Factly Articles for Prelims, related to Science and Technology. You can find all relevant Science and Technology related updates on this page. This page is specifically useful for UPSC Prelims exam.
New Naming System for Virus Variants
What is the News? The World Health Organization(WHO) has announced that it would unveil a new naming system for Virus Variants. The system would be similar to the way tropical storms are named. What is the current method of naming Virus Strains? Currently, WHO and other agencies across the world refer to viruses and their… Continue reading New Naming System for Virus Variants
“Winchcombe Meteorite” – To be Displayed in the UK
What is the News? A piece of Winchcombe meteorite will be displayed at the National History Museum, Gloucestershire (UK). About Winchcombe meteorite: The Winchcombe meteorite is also known as carbonaceous meteorite. These meteorites have high proportion of carbon. It was discovered after it landed in the driveway of a house located in Gloucestershire in the UK… Continue reading “Winchcombe Meteorite” – To be Displayed in the UK
India starts importing “zeolite” for medical oxygen plants.
What is the News? National carrier Air India has begun the first of its “zeolite cargo flights”. This was done after the government of India started the process of importing zeolite from across the world for use in medical oxygen plants. Contents1 Zeolites in Medical Oxygen Plants:2 What is the Pressure Swing Adsorption(PSA) Process?3 What… Continue reading India starts importing “zeolite” for medical oxygen plants.
“Protein–Antibody Conjugates (PACs)” – A combination of biologics and Antibody-Drug Conjugates
Contents1 2 What is the News?3 What are Protein–Antibody Conjugates or PACs?4 How are Biologics different from conventional drugs?5 What are Antibody Drug Conjugates? What is the News? A team of researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Institute for Applied Life Sciences has developed a nanoparticle. This nanoparticle has the potential to revolutionize disease… Continue reading “Protein–Antibody Conjugates (PACs)” – A combination of biologics and Antibody-Drug Conjugates
China launches Classified “Yaogan Satellites” Into Orbit
What is the News? China has successfully launched the eighth group of three Yaogan-30 satellites into orbit on a Long March 2C rocket. The eighth group of three Yaogan-30 satellites will join the seven previous groups in the orbit that had been launched earlier. About Yaogan Satellites: Firstly, Yaogan is a series of Chinese reconnaissance… Continue reading China launches Classified “Yaogan Satellites” Into Orbit
“Tianwen-1 Mission” – China lands Zhurong Rover on Mars
What is the News? China successfully lands Zhurong Rover from the Tianwen-1 mission on Mars. Specifically, it has landed on the Utopia Planitia, a large plain in the Northern Hemisphere of Mars. Note: The Zhurong rover has been named after an ancient Chinese god of fire. It will explore the Mars surface near the landing… Continue reading “Tianwen-1 Mission” – China lands Zhurong Rover on Mars
Cabinet approves PLI scheme ‘National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage’
Contents1 2 What is the News?3 Key Features of the Scheme:4 Benefits of the Scheme: What is the News? Cabinet approves the Production Linked Incentive(PLI) Scheme ‘National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage’. PLI Scheme For Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage’: Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises Aim: The programme… Continue reading Cabinet approves PLI scheme ‘National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Storage’
Biodegradable “Moorhen Yoga Mat” developed from “Water Hyacinth”
What is the News? Six young girls from Assam have developed a biodegradable and compostable yoga mat called ‘Moorhen Yoga Mat’. Note: The Mat was developed with the support of the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach(NECTAR). NECTAR is an autonomous body under the Department of Science & Technology(DST). About Moorhen Yoga Mat:… Continue reading Biodegradable “Moorhen Yoga Mat” developed from “Water Hyacinth”
What is Compulsory Licensing?
Contents
What is the News?
Kerala High Court has asked the Centre to respond to a plea for invoking the compulsory licensing. Other capable vaccine manufacturers will also be able to produce Covid-19 vaccines by the use of the compulsory license.
About Compulsory Licensing:
- Compulsory licensing(CL) is a process that allows governments to license third parties (that is, parties other than the patent holders) to produce, use and sell a patented product or process. By that, producers can manufacture patented drugs without the requirement of consent of patent owners.
- The WTO’s agreement on intellectual property –TRIPS allows countries to issue compulsory licenses to domestic producers.
- In India, Compulsory licensing is allowed and regulated under the Indian Patent Act, 1970.
Section 84 of the (Indian) Patent Act,1970: It provides that after three years from the date of the grant of a patent, any person can apply for the compulsory license, on certain grounds:
- the reasonable requirements of the public with respect to the patented invention have not been satisfied
- the patented invention is not available to the public at a reasonably affordable price
- Lastly, the patented invention is not used in the territory of India.
However, compulsory licenses can also be granted under exceptional circumstances.
Section 92 of the (Indian) Patent Act,1970: It authorizes the central government to issue a compulsory license at any time after the grant of the patent, in the case of:
- National emergency; or
- Extreme urgency; or
- Case of public non-commercial use.
After the government issues a notification under Section 92 the companies can approach the government for a license. They can start manufacturing the patented drug by reverse-engineering the product.
Section 100 of the (Indian) Patent Act,1970:
- It gives the central government the power to authorize anyone to use the invention for the purposes of the government.
- Basically, this provision enables the government to license patents of the vaccine to specific companies. This is done to speed up manufacturing and ensure equitable pricing.
What is a Patent?
- Firstly, a patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention. In other words, a patent is an exclusive right to a product or a process that generally provides a new way of doing something or offers a new technical solution to a problem.
- Secondly, is a patent valid in every country? Patents are territorial rights. In general, the exclusive rights are only applicable in the country or region in which a patent has been filed and granted in accordance with the law of that country or region.
- Thirdly, how long does a patent last? The protection is granted for a limited period, generally 20 years from the filing date of the application.
Source: Hindu Business line
