[Can extrachromosomal genetic elements be recognized as inventions?].

The legal bases for acknowledgement of plasmids (vectors) as inventions, in particular within the classes of the "substance" and "microbial strain" are discussed. There is a definite similarity in a number of features between phages recognized as inventions and plasmids. Therefore, in principle their acknowledgement as inventions may be considered possible, since it raises no new problems as those occurring in legal protection of microbial strains. At the same time there is no pressing need in acknowledgement of plasmids (vectors) as inventions and their legal protection should be rather of the prestige character.