＇Are We Running out of Planet to Exploit？＇ Links and Limits in the Global Resources Chain？

Many people have begun to concern about the potential resources shortages against the backdrop of rapid economic growth.Paul Krugman wrote an article titled ‘Running out of Planet to exploit’,and in this article,the author will address the Krugman question,and to consider whether the key factor is the decision-making capacity of the international community in dealing with and adapting to the substantial interactions between energy,land,water,and food supply,and the potential global resource scarcities in these four areas—the links and limits in the paper’s title.     

Civil Society Relationships with the G20: An Extension of the G8 Template or Distinctive Pattern of Engagement?

The central question that this work asks is whether the relationship between the G20 summit process and civil society is path dependent on the template built up with respect to the G8. Or, alternatively, does the G20–civil society relationship move towards a distinct autonomous pattern? Through the perspective of the G8 template it is the differences as much as the basic similarities that stand out with respect to the G20. Civil society recognised the significance of the G20 as a site both of delivery and resistance far quicker than they did with the G8—although the process of engagement did not take place as quickly as might have been expected given the scale of the impact of the global financial crisis. In terms of scope, there has not developed the sense of connection with the G20 agenda as occurred previously with the G8. In terms of form, there remains a more nuanced approach to the relationship between civil society and G20 than the two ends of the “Genoa” and “Gleneagles” spectrum established with the G8.     

The European community's system of generalized tariff preferences: A critique

In mid‐1971 the European Community introduced a system of generalized tariff preferences for less developed countries, hailing its scheme as a ‘generous response’ to the needs of those countries. This paper explores tentatively how generous the European tariff preference scheme is, in terms of its likely stimulus to exports from and investment in the less developed countries. It also assesses the impact of the scheme on the assumption of United Kingdom membership in the Community. It concludes that whether Britain is in or out, the European scheme, based as it is on rather restrictive tariff quotas keyed to past trade data, will offer little help in furthering the economic objectives of developing countries.     

Patents and enantiomers: Generics v Lundbeck

Legal context: This article examines a decision of the English Patents Courtin relation to the validity of a patent claiming a single enantiomer(a particular molecular form) of a known pharmaceutical compound. Key points: The court held that while it would have been obvious to theskilled person at the priority date to prepare the single enantiomerof the drug claimed in the patent, the actual method of preparationtaught by the patent was not obvious. The attack on groundsof lack of inventive step therefore failed. However, the factthat the patent taught only one method of preparation, but soughtto claim the single enantiomer however prepared meant that theclaims (other than the method claim) were invalid on the groundsof insufficiency. Practical significance: This case demonstrates the formidable difficulties in obtaininga valid patent for a single enantiomer of a known pharmaceutical.While claims to a method of preparation can be valid, providedthe usual requirements of novelty, inventive step, etc. aremet, a patent claiming a single enantiomer of a known compoundper se will be likely to be invalid on the grounds of obviousnessor insufficiency.     

Informal economic activity: Early thinking, conceptual shifts, continuing patterns and persistent issues – a Michigan study

In this paper we review theoretical perspectives on the informal economy that developed during the period 1958–1992. We describe shifts in thinking in two phases that we identify as ‘first wave studies’ and ‘second wave studies,’ and we identify a series of critical theoretical issues that emerged from the thinking during these periods. Then, focusing on the state of Michigan, USA, we examine empirical research that was conducted in the second wave and compare the results with a state survey that we conducted in 2005. The overall aim of this paper is to summarize the extent of theoretical and empirical studies of informal economy before the more recent postmodern informed analysis of the 1990s, and to document shifts in patterns of informal economic activity as this is revealed from the research. We conclude with a discussion of theoretical and empirical questions that have begun to be addressed in the last 15 years of what has now been 50 years of research on this topic.