Award Winning Scientist Professor James, Wins 'david And Goliath' Appeal

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11th November 2009, 08:04pm - Views: 1252





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      Wednesday 11 November 2009


Award winning scientist, Professor Veronica James, wins ‘David and

Goliath’ appeal against listed biotech company, Fermiscan

Fermiscan today lost its appeal against an earlier decision made by the Supreme Court of New South Wales in

Professor James' favour.

Professor Veronica James is the applicant for patent in relation to a diagnostic test for various cancers and other

disease, by interpreting diffraction patterns of nails and skin samples.

Fermiscan brought the action in the Supreme Court against Prof James claiming this new test using finger nails and

skin was an improvement of Dr James' earlier invention of a diagnostic test of using x-ray diffraction of hair to detect

breast cancer.  This invention was assigned to Fermiscan by Professor James in 2004, as were any "improvements"

to the invention.

It also claimed that Professor James had made disparaging statements of it in a draft scientific paper, her patent

application and a letter to the editor of the International Journal of Cancer, by stating that their were problems with

reproducibility of the Fermiscan tests, and that the skin and nail diagnostic tests may overcome the problems with the

Fermiscan test .

Justice McDougall had previously dismissed the Fermiscan claim that Prof James' new invention was merely “an

improvement” on the earlier hair test, and held that Professor James had not disparaged the plaintiffs. 

Today the Court of Appeal, Justices James Allsop, David Ipp and Ken Handley upheld Justice McDougall's decision

and dismissed Fermiscan's appeal. 

Middletons Intellectual Property Partner, Jane Owen who represented Professor James said, “Professor James is a

highly respected scientist and the leading Australian expert in use of fibre diffraction analysis of biological materials,

and today’s result is vindication of her own accomplishments and her right to continue researching in her highly

specialised field. Having parted ways with Fermiscan in 2006, Professor James took her research in a different

direction, developing a revolutionary new way to test for a variety of cancers through examination of skin and nail

samples. The judgement also enshrines a freedom of "legitimate expression of scientific views in an appropriate

scientific context" without fear of recourse from companies how make take offence at the views. This is clearly

important for the advance of science - to stimulate a climate where improvements on current science can be

publicised with fear of reproach."

Ms Owen highlighted the significance of the case by saying “scientists need to be aware of the ambit of the IP rights

they assign, and the scope of improvements which are ordinarily encompassed under the assignment. If the

improvement clause is overreaching, or drafted unclearly, this can lead to a dispute about the ownership of later

developed technology. It is clear that these clauses should be drafted to ensure that the scientist can continue to

research in their field of speciality, even if the commercialising company and the scientist part ways.”

About Middletons

In the modern commercial world, standing still is not an option. Middletons is a full service Australian commercial law

firm.

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Our clients are serviced by over 500 employees, including 300 legal advisers, from our offices in Melbourne, Perth

and Sydney.


We have extensive experience acting for industry leaders, major corporations and government on groundbreaking

legal transactions in Australia and internationally. Our commercial expertise and knowledge in specific industries

ensures we add value to our clients’ businesses.


The Middletons approach is refreshingly different. We don't confuse clients with lots of legal speak – we are straight

talking.

Further information

Jeremy Hyman

Media and Communications Manager

T: +612 9513 2451

F: +612 9513 2399

M: +614 49 953 890

E: jeremy.hyman@middletons.com 






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