Real Estate Update

Chris Singer asked:




The U.S. Trade Representative recently released its “Special 301” annual report to Congress which outlined the Administration’s global intellectual property agenda. At PhRMA we believe that maintaining global incentives for research and development of new medicines is essential for the continued development of treatments used around the world to help improve the health and lives of patients. The importance of these incentives is underscored by the current threat of a pandemic health emergency and the need for new, innovative antiviral products.

This worldwide respect for intellectual property is the engine that will enable patients around the globe to receive the benefits of future discoveries. This respect is particularly important for American patients, who otherwise end up supporting a disproportionate share of the burden for the development of new medicines. Patients around the world are waiting for the more than 2,900 medicines currently in development by PhRMA member companies.

Protecting American intellectual property also is important to the U.S. economy. For these reasons, PhRMA and its members place a high priority on addressing the harm caused by inadequate IP protection and by the market access barriers put in place by some U.S. trading partners. We appreciate efforts underway at all levels by USTR, the Departments of State and Commerce, and the effective advocacy of U.S. overseas missions to promote compliance with international obligations.

We applaud the report’s discussion on counterfeiting problems that present public health concerns in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world. Our member companies are actively engaged in seeking solutions to these problems with the U.S. Government, governments mentioned in this submission, allied industry associations, the World Health Organization and concerned health professionals and patient groups.

PhRMA and its members are committed to helping address the public health risks and other public interests that are compromised by those who traffic in counterfeit medicines.

We are concerned that Brazil’s treatment in the report does not adequately reflect the actual barriers to effective intellectual property protection in place in that country or the international pronouncements made by the Government on IP-related matters.

We share the Government’s hope that recent statements of intent by officials in Thailand to make IPR protection and enforcement a higher priority will yield results. We are concerned, however, that the lack of progress on IPR issues in Thailand was not given sufficient weight in the final determination.

At the same time, we are encouraged that the Administration has taken steps to highlight the deficiencies of China, Russia, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and some other countries. China, for instance, continues to circumvent its obligations to protect safety and efficacy data generated by innovative companies and India is no closer to implementing such fundamental protection. PhRMA appreciates USTR’s recognition of the severity of the IP concerns for pharmaceutical companies in these countries.

In addition, we applaud the Government’s recognition of progress made by Korea in IPR protection, which resulted in removing Korea from all lists in the present report. We look forward to full implementation by Korea of additional IPR protections in the KORUS FTA upon ratification.

The ‘Special 301‘ process continues to be effective in gaining high-level attention from our trading partners – attention that is needed to redress intellectual property violations and market access concerns. PhRMA and its members look forward to working with the staff of the USTR as they continue to represent the interests of American consumers, patients, workers and industry by addressing unfair trade practices in key countries around the world.

Peter Menkin asked:


Thursday, June 12, 2008

One of “older” poems,

On Contemplation and about my Apartment in Mill Valley, California USA

This tells of contemplative prayer, the experience of rising like a hawk, or soaring, as does the hawk. God comes closer to humankind, humankind comes closer to God. That seems an unusual statement in our times, nonetheless, the Lord is here whether we know it or not.

I moved from the apartment on the third floor as place of viewing the hawks and place of prayer, to an apartment on the third floor at the other end of the building, place of viewing the hawks and place of prayer. I don’t seem to see hawks so much anymore, yet I believe there is a soaring sense of beauty in prayer. God is near, often.

It is almost summertime here in Northern California. We have a heat wave. 92 today.

Apartment on the Third Floor

by Peter Menkin

This apartment, top, third floor

one among hawks who build

nests

has sun. This

room gets afternoon light;

morning, too, streams

in creating simplicity.

The hawks sit in the

trees, communing.

The world goes on, in steel

complexity.

Warm, here just roof above,

and

among the trees in

company of hawks

who nest. One hawk

sits

on a branch, lit by engaging

moments of

sun; spring newness amid

the gray manmade

world that impedes yet connects

the eternal life.

Thank you morning through

daylight to night,

bright stars for a promise

of goodness.

God.

Witnessing the light.

I remark to you of



divine moments.

We enter mansions heavenly, just flesh

and spirit.

Ascending.

Audio reading by aspiring poet Peter Menkin is here: http://www.archive.org/details/ApartmentOnTheThirdFloorByPeterMenkin

David Done asked:




An intellectual property law firm should have attorneys with several years of experience protecting the rights of artists, designers, engineers, and business developers. There are several different types of intellectual property, so a law firm might employ lawyers that specialize in individual topics such as copyrights, patents, trade secrets, trademarks, and industrial designs.

Why are Intellectual Property Law Firms Useful?

Intellectual property law gives incentive to those who create new ideas by offering them exclusive rights to earn money from their ideas for a certain period of time. One might see intellectual property law as a type of temporary monopoly that allows the creator to earn money without competing with others who might try to use the idea, process, design, or work of art for their own profit. An intellectual property law firm can help those who create new ideas prevent others from taking advantage of their work without paying the inventor or creator.

Who Needs an Intellectual Property Law Firm?

There are many different types of intellectual property, so there are also many different types of professionals who might need the services of an intellectual property law firm. Those who work in technology development almost certainly need an intellectual property law firm to make sure no one steals their ideas, programs, or designs. Musicians, writers, and artists of all types might also need an intellectual property law firm to make sure they get all royalties that are due to them from the commercial sale of their creations. Even business professionals might need intellectual property law firms to protect their management concepts.

The Two Categories of Intellectual Property

There are two types of intellectual property, so you might want to choose an intellectual property law firm that specializes in the one that affects you most. The first category gives exclusive rights to artistic and commercial creations. This could include a movie, book, painting, or computer software. The second type that an intellectual property law firm might specialize in is typically called industrial properties. These are typically inventions that are used in production or industry.

Finding an Intellectual Property Law Firm

Depending on where you live, you might find that there are several intellectual property law firms for you to choose from. If you work with other professionals and artists who use the services of an intellectual property lawyer, then you might want to ask them which firms they prefer. Colleagues who have more experience might be able to tell you about the positive and negative experiences they have had with the intellectual property law firms in your area, which will help you develop a short list of firms that you can choose from.

Meet with representatives of the firms that get good reviews from the other people in your field. During your meeting, you might want to ask about their qualifications to help you choose an intellectual property law firm that specializes in the type of products and ideas that you create. You should also ask them how much money they charge so you can choose a firm that is affordable for you.

Rolf Joho asked:




In today’s market it can be very difficult. That’s why having any little trick up your sleeve will help in moving a house on the market. One overlooked marketing aspect in real estate is safety. Modifications made to a house with safety in mind are a great asset to any property.

Advertising a house with plenty of features that make them safer for a range of consumers will help to make a house more desirable. For example making a house safe for children or older consumers will help to increase the number of interested buyers in a particular house.

Attracting Older Customers

Older customers are a somewhat neglected section of the housing market. However if you can make a property attractive to the aging population you are opening up a section of the real estate that is still underdeveloped. One of the things that older prospective buyers are looking for is safety.

One of the key things that you can do to make any piece of real estate prime property to older buyers is to make safer bathrooms. Bathrooms are notorious for causing accidents in older homeowners. The first thing that can be redone in a bathroom is the type of tiling. Make sure that you have textured tiles to prevent slippage.

Another thing that can be done to a bathroom is to increase the lighting. Lighting in a bathroom, as well as in the rest of the house, is very important. The shower area is another area that needs to be remodeled in real estate that you intend to market to older consumers.

A shower area that is large and easy to get in and out of is attractive to all homeowners regardless of age. You can also make a shower even safer by installing railings. Railings throughout the house are also a good idea. Remodeling the bathroom is often the first thing you should do when looking to improve the price of real estate.

Sunken living rooms are another thing that can make some customers think twice about a certain property. A sunken living room is not only a hazard to older people but can also be dangerous for children. Making sure that these are no changes from one room to another is a great idea.

A home that is wheelchair accessible can also be a huge draw. Some homeowners will be more willing to purchase a home that has been renovated to be wheelchair accessible. One of the things that you should look out for when trying to make a home wheelchair accessible is the size of the doors and hallways.

Doors are often too small to be accessible for wheelchairs. Widening doorways and hallways is a good way to make a home more wheelchair accessible. A gradual slope in place of stairs is also a plus to young families who have to maneuver strollers.

Lighting stairwells and ensuring that there is plenty of light in a home is another great way to make a piece of real estate more marketable. Once you have made these renovations to any property it is important that you highlight these changes. Advertising the safety features is a great way to make a piece of real estate more marketable.

Depending on the demographic of the real estate market in your area you can adjust the safety features of a home accordingly. This type of housing is attractive to both the aging population and families with young children. If you intend to market a home to young families then you may have to think of more ways to make a home safe for children.