21.   But since they kept their processes secret, U.S. patent laws favor the inventor.

22.   But the government does not have control over whether those cell lines get to researchers, according to Gulbrandsen, federal health officials and patent law experts.

23.   Chairman of the Senate Republican High-Tech Task Force, he has pushed for reform of patent laws and research tax credits.

24.   CHANGES IN PATENT LAW PROPOSED A Congressional bill proposes a number of changes in patent law, including transforming the Patent Office into a quasi-private corporation.

25.   Column A proposal to roll back a change in patent law is gaining support and generating debate.

26.   Customarily, the court has supported a broad interpretation of federal patent law, but with key exceptions for inventions based on mathematical algorithms and products of nature.

27.   Drug companies can be faulted for manipulating patent laws to fight off the sale of cheaper, knock-off generic drugs.

28.   Drug companies exploit patent laws to extend the period they charge monopoly prices for medicines.

29.   Handing the issue of patent interpretation to a judge, Souter wrote, also will help promote uniformity and predictability in patent law.

30.   If India abided by Western patent laws, more Western companies would sell there and would price drugs so Indian consumers could afford them, she said.