“New organisms, such as seeds, for example, those containing modified DNA, new vaccines, new techniques, etc., are also patentable. Further, computer related inventions (databases), etc., have also been held to be patentable.”

The book discusses a 1999 case, AT&T Corp vs Excel Communications Inc, on the patentability of software. “The AT&T process sought to be patented aided long distance carriers in providing differential billing to subscribers, depending on whether they called someone with the same or a different long distance carrier.” Another case, State Street Bank & Trust Co vs Signature Financial Group Inc, was about a mathematical algorithm.

The authors see significance for biotech and pharma in the patentability of abstract procedures such as algorithms, “as one can now apply for a patent on software used to model molecular structures… It may also be possible to patent novel compounds discovered by using such models… Patents can be applied for on computational methods for calculating protein folding…”

A book that can add ‘life’ to your law collection.

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Progression in financial management

‘Awareness + ? = Successful financial management.’ For an answer to this puzzle, you need to read The True Cost of Happiness by Stacey Tisdale and Paula Boyer Kennedy ( www.wiley.com).

Awareness is not a thing but a place where transformation occurs — the space where we have that intuitive flash, explains the book. “The kind of heart-piercing awareness that brings about change is a glimpse of the truth itself…That life-changing, no turning-back moment.”

The ‘aha’ is good but there can be a big block, in the form of ‘paralysing feeling of deficiency’. For, we tend to think of ourselves a success or failure, or in simple, the all-or-nothing modes. Instead, think of financial management changes in terms of progression, the authors advise, citing experts. “Do not make change contingent on some big cosmic shift in your thinking or who you are.”

Of value to couples is a chapter titled ‘life planning for two’, which begins by comparing and distinguishing men and women beyond the Mars-Venus angle. “Familial and social scripts may tell women to ‘clam up’ when it comes to financial issues, going against a natural inclination to open up. Men, on the other hand, are not only schooled to take the lead in financial issues, but they are also scripted to keep their emotions in check.”

Understanding each other’s financial histories and individual goals is a must. “You should respect and support each other’s aspirations, even when you’re creating goals as a couple or family,” counsel Tisdale and Kennedy. Rather than having financial discussions during times of conflict (a common mistake), create a climate for communication, to talk about earning, spending and managing.

Worthwhile investment.

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Why free electricity?

The question whether farmers should be given free electricity can easily evoke high-voltage discussions, often leading to more sound than light. But were you to pause to look at the economics, you may notice that “electricity is not the most important or costly input in agriculture,” as Subhes C. Bhattacharyya writes in one of the essays included in Governance of Rural Electricity Systems in India ( www.academicfoundation.com). “Land preparation, fertiliser, pesticides, cleaning/weeding, harvesting and processing before final sale contribute to the total cost of production. Some of these costs are significant compared to the electricity cost.”

Again, irrigation, which has a time dimension, has to be provided irrespective of the availability of electricity. “In many cases, farmers who use electric pumps also use diesel-operated pumps as stand-by.” Since there is less complaint about diesel price or other input costs, there is little justification for complaining about electricity rates, the author argues. He adds that farmers do not crave for free power as much as they want ‘regular, good quality power at the desired time’.

The book edited by Haribandhu Panda has more than a dozen chapters on various dimensions such as electricity and rural development, policy, regulatory bodies, sustainability, and reforms.

Loaded work.