I don't know how many are aware of this, but there are currently some applications underway to patent protein feeds for bees. You can see some of the material at (I made tinyurls in case they wrap) http://www.wipo.int/pctdb/en/wo.jsp?WO=2009082659&IA=US2008087324&DISPLAY=STATUS or http://tinyurl.com/ycbplf8 http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220090162482%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20090162482&RS=DN/20090162482 or http://tinyurl.com/ycwt973 http://www.freshpatents.com/-dt20090625ptan20090162482.php?type=description or http://tinyurl.com/yef9ptx For those who are interested (and that should be everyone) the above links are a start. Keeners among us may dig a bit deeper and turn up more info. Please share. It appears to me that the applications attempt to encompass and patent virtually all known common approaches and ingredients, and add very little, if any new information. Whether or not the patent offices will understand that and reject the applications is a good question. In my opinion, all of this is common knowledge and should not be patentable. There are some recipes stated, and I don't know about that aspect, but the other material is not unique or novel IMO. If these patents are granted, they could definitely increase the cost of feeding bees. What is interesting is that AFAIK, much of the work to prepare these applications was funded by the US taxpayer. It will be interesting to see what others turn up and how many people complain to the patent authorities. *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html Access BEE-L directly at: http://community.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-LSOFTDONATIONS.exe?A0=BEE-L
