Wired’s feature on Marc van Roosmalen, facing prison time for biopiracy, is one of the most fascinating articles I’ve read in a while (unfortunately, it’s overshadowed by the controversial cover story.) When I first heard about biopiracy, I believed it might be one of the few areas where intellectual property is actually fair, so long as it’s granted to the country of origin. But reading how it is enforced in the Brazil gave me second thoughts. Richard Stallman (of course) has some things to say about the need to free all plant life from patents.

“Biopiracy describes a new form of “colonial pillaging” in which western corporations reap profits by taking out patents on indigenous plants, food, local knowledge, human tissues and drugs from developing countries and turning them into lucrative products. Only in few cases are the benefits shared with the country of origin.” - WMMNA

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