Business and finance

i want a student reply post . it most be in your own words. 150 words each . folder below please

KELSEY CANAPARY (Jun 11, 2019 8:02 PM) – Read by: 8

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There are four types of intellectual property: copyrights, trademarks, patents and trade secrets. (Patent Law, Part 1) Each of these four intellectual properties protect different types of creations. A patent prevents another person from making, selling, or using the patented invention and from importing the patented invention or an article made by a patented process into the United States. (Patent Law, Part 1) A trademark is a little different than a patent it identifies a product and distinguishes it from other products to identify the source of the product. (Patent Law, Part 1) A trademark can be indefinite if the owner continues to use it and it does not lose its distinctiveness and become generic.

Should a company be allowed to patent a life form? Many people will argue both sides of this equation. In my opinion I do not think a patent should be granted for life form if it is in its natural state. If a company can take an organism and alter it to make it valuable, then a patent should be issued. For example, Myriad Genetics was able to identify BRCA mutations that increased a woman’s chances for breast or ovarian cancer. The Supreme Court ruled against the company stating that merely being the first to isolate a naturally occurring gene or other product of nature doesn’t entitle you to a patent. (Huber, 2013) I believe Myriad Genetics did a very large research project that allowed them to identify a mutation that causes ovarian and breast cancer. But they did not invent anything that would prevent the cancer and therefore it should not be patented. Genetically engineered cells, plants, and lives organisms are used in different medical diagnostic tests and therapies. (Huber, 2013) This type of testing will likely remain patentable as long as there is an innovative product or process involved.