>(Note in this UK case
which side of the argument in court a patent holder sits)<
Well spotted, Valerie.   It is interesting how people's careers can take
them to destinations which seem quite different from the place they
started....

by the way, I take no credit for the outcome in the case -- I was not
involved except in the most marginal way.  Our law here (which we regard as
weak and imperfect, for a variety of reasons, such as the fact that it does
not cover bottles and teats, and because it left the monitoring function
with trading standards -- who up until now (thank you Birmingham Trading
Standards!) had not seemed very enthusiastic about responding to complaints.
I complained about a series of ads in 1998 and the complaint was not acted
upon) is notthe strongest but it is so wonderful to see it actually upheld.
We also have an interagency group which brings together disparate actors (eg
the 'trade unions' for the midwives, health visitors, and the four volunteer
breastfeeding organisations, along with Baby Milk Action) to work on
strengthening our law.  See http://www.babyfeedinglawgroup.org.uk/  this is
a fairly new site, and we hope that we will soon be promoting the monitoring
function.  (Note:  the text of the UK law is available on the site).

Magda Sachs
Breastfeeding Supporter,
BfN, The Breastfeeding Network
http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/


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