Pfizer wins key ruling in China
A Beijing court has sided with the drugmaker Pfizer Inc. in a ruling against local drug makers keen to sell generic versions of Viagra in China — though it was unclear if the decision would dent the widespread availability of fake versions of the impotence drug.
The Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court on Monday overturned a 2004 decision by China’s patent review board. An official, who like most Chinese bureaucrats refused to give her name, confirmed the decision but said she could not provide other information.
It was unclear how the patent review board at China’s State Intellectual Property Office would react to the decision. Staff at SIPO in Beijing said they had no comment. Usually, appeals of Chinese court decisions must be made within 15 days.
At least a dozen Chinese drug companies have been seeking the right to make sildenafil citrate, the main active ingredient in the erectile dysfunction drug, challenging Pfizer’s exclusive right to the blue pill.
The case was seen as a test of China’s willingness to protect patents, copyrights and trademarks. Pfizer welcomed the decision to uphold its patent rights, which have remained in effect pending resolution of the dispute.
“Google Inc. will introduce a spreadsheet program today, continuing the Internet search leader’s expansion into territory long dominated by Microsoft Corp.
Although it’s still considered a work in progress, Google’s online spreadsheet will offer consumers and businesses a free alternative to Microsoft’s Excel application — a product typically sold as part of the Office software suite that has been a steady moneymaker for years.
To avoid swamping the company’s computers, Google’s spreadsheet initially will be distributed to a limited audience. Google also wants more time to smooth out any possible kinks and develop more features, said Jonathan Rochelle, the product manager of the new application.
“Less than a week after announcing plans to offer the first diesel-powered full-size sport utility vehicle in the United States, DaimlerChrysler AG’s Chrysler Group said it is halting production of the diesel version of its small Jeep Liberty SUV.
The Liberty’s diesel engine doesn’t meet tougher federal emissions standards taking effect next year, and Chrysler said it wasn’t cost-effective to replace it with a newer version.