Privacy

Prominent Researchers Join the Attack on Stem Cell Patents;

July 13, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>James Thomson's work deserves praise but no patents for doing what others could have achieved with the proper resources, critics say</h3><p class="source">Science Magazine</p> <p>Four prominent stem cell scientists have filed "declarations" in support of a citizens' group that is trying to break the University of Wisconsin's hold on patents for human embryonic stem (ES) cells. Joining the fray are Harvard researchers Chad Cowan and Douglas Melton, as well as Alan Trounson of Australia's Monash University. A new statement was also submitted by Jeanne Loring of the Burnham Institute for Medical Research in San Diego, California, who has been advising the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, which filed the initial complaint last July.</p>

Will a cheaper iPhone click before Christmas?

July 11, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>One analyst believes Nano model may appear</h3><p class="source">THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE</p> <p> The advocacy group Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights recently sent a letter to Apple complaining about the company's failure to disclose that additional battery cost when it released the phone. What's more, consumers who want to stay in touch while their battery is being replaced will have to pay $29 to rent a temporary iPhone, said Harvey Rosenfield, the foundation's founder. "In about a year or so when the battery begins to fail, there are going to be a lot of angry customers," he said. Apple "should have discussed this when they started selling it."</p>

Apple issues battery replacement program for iPhone

July 5, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>Harvey Rosenfield, founder of the Santa Monica, Calif.-based consumer watchdog group that wrote the letter last week, contends the iPhone's battery and repair costs should have been clearly disclosed earlier. The company outlined its cellular service rates and many other features of the iPhone in advance of its launch, which drew snaking lines around stores across the country.</p>

Scientists jump into fight over Wis. stem cell patents

July 3, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Associated Press</p> <p>The California-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights and others are challenging patents that cover discoveries by UW researcher Jamie Thomson, who was the first to grow and isolate human embryonic stem cells in 1998.</p>

Researchers join stem cell patent debate

July 3, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">The San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>The nonprofit Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica and the New York City-based Public Patent Foundation claim the patents never should have been issued because the science involved was not unique. Under U.S. law, a patent should be issued only if the science is new and not an obvious next step to anyone familiar with the particular field.</p>

Scientists join patent protest;

July 2, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Wisconsin foundation backs its stem cell research</h3><p class="source">Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (Wisconsin)</p> <p>The groups -- the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights in Santa Monica, Calif., and the Public Patent Foundation in New York -- have argued that three fundamental patents the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation holds are based on research that would have been obvious to anyone familiar with literature in the field.</p>

Scientists attack UW patents

July 2, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Wisconsin State Journal</p> <p>Challengers to UW-Madison's stem-cell patents have enlisted some high-profile scientists to argue that the federal government's preliminary rejection of the patents should be upheld.</p>

Gambling with the Lottery

June 26, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<font face="verdana,sans-serif" size="2">Talk continues as this year's budget deadlock grows longer, and the debate includes the governor's desire to hand the <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/111/story/238725.html">state lottery system</a>...</font>

S.D. scientists make pitch for stem cell funds

June 20, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Local institutes would share research facility</h3><p class="source">San Diego Union-Tribune</p> <p>'I don't know why the consortium emerged or how they did it, but the fact that it has is one of the key developments that Proposition 71 (the stem cell initiative) envisioned,' said John Simpson of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. Proposals for such collaboration should be given extra weight in the grant application process, Simpson said. </p>

Wrangling renegade gas pumps;

June 18, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>More state inspections reduce consumer rip-offs</h3><p class="source">The Detroit News (Michigan)</p> <p>Consumer advocates, however, question if that resolve will hold up as more high-profile sacrifices that affect schools or public safety are considered. The weights and measures program was spared funding reductions in the current fiscal year, but state departments are expected to face deeper cuts in the next budget cycle. "Consumer protection is one of the first things to go," said Judy Dugan, research director at <a href="http://www.oilwatchdog.org">OilWatchDog.org</a>.</p>

Senate approves stem cell measure

June 8, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p class="source">Capitol Weekly (Sacramento, CA)</p> <p>SB 771 is similar to a legislation carried last year by termed out Senator Debra Ortiz, said John Simpson, a consumer advocated at the watchdog group the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. Ortiz carried both SCA 13 and SB 401, which sought to exert greater legislative control of the state's stem call agency, the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine.</p>

WellPoint’s new CEO;

June 3, 2007  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<h3>Through the glass ceiling -- Charisma, tenacity push Angela Braly to helm of largest U.S. commercial insurer</h3><p class="source">Indianapolis Star</p> <p>Jerry Flanagan, health-care policy director for the California-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, said such efforts don't go far enough. "They appear to be little more than window dressing from companies that are worried about scrutiny in Congress," said Flanagan, whose group often has accused WellPoint of putting profits ahead of patients.</p>