18 Jul Groups file appeal against WARF in stem-cell patent dispute
Madison, Wis.—The patent dispute between two organizations and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation isn’t over yet: The groups filed an appeal today to have a key stem-cell patent overturned after its claims were narrowed, but upheld.
Consumer Watchdog, formerly The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, and the Public Patent Foundation claim that WARF’s control of the patent is slowing down stem-cell research. They are attempting to have the patent overturned on the grounds that the creation of human embryonic stem cells was obvious after the work had been done on other species.
Since their initial challenge was filed, WARF eased licensing restrictions and also narrowed the claims of the key patent. Subsequently, the revised patent was upheld.
See WTN’s extensive previous coverage of this dispute, below.
Recent history
• Patent office concludes re-exam of two WARF stem cell patents
• Patent office upholds remaining WARF stem cell patents
• Patent office upholds key WARF stem cell patent; appeal is likely
• Amended stem cell patent claims not enough, consumer groups say
• WARF submits technical changes to stem cell patents