論植物專利與農民權保障之衝突與調和

Reconciling the CompetingInterests between Plant Patents and Farmers’ Exemption

隨著生物科技之發展，基因轉殖技術已廣為應用於農作物，對於農業；醫藥等領域有著密切深遠影響，就產業發展亦形重要。對於應否賦予植物發明專利保護，以鼓勵技術創新研發，各國間迭有論爭。有鑑於植物相關發明本身具有能自我繁殖之特性，以及考量農民傳統農業耕作習慣，我國於開放植物專利保護之際，應將農民權與利益調和納入考量。本文自比較法之角度，由國際公約觀點出發，分析農民權益之概念及賦予農民權益保障之必要性，並探討開放植物專利後，農民權益之調和應有何配套措施以資因應，以供未來我國開放植物專利立法之參考。

Transgenic plants and other biotechnology inventions play an importantrole in the pharmaceutical and agricultural industries, family farming,and medical research. The international community cannot reach anagreement as to whether inventors can patent their plant inventions. Becauseof the self-reproduction characteristic of plants and traditional agricultureand farming practice, we should consider the issue of reconcilingthe competing interests between patent holders and private farmers whendeciding to allow plant patents. This paper conducts a comparative studyon plant patents and farmers’ rights. By referring to international agreementsgoverning farmers’ rights, this article analyzes the concept of farmers’rights and the necessity of protection. Finally, It concludes by providingTaiwan with some suggestions regarding to the balance of farmers’rights when it is considering whether to allow plant patents.