Society 5.0 is a new term used to indicate the future world. This society is based on ubiquity, learning machines, the internet of things, big data, cloud computing, cryptography, and biometrics. All these technologies will be merged to create a new mode of life. The new way of life will inevitably influence human beings’ values, concepts, and conduct. The result of these changes will consequently bring challenges to many legal areas. This paper addresses the challenges that brought society 5.0 to legal norms. It utilises the analytical approach to examine the capability of pre-existing legal norms to cope with new realities created by society 5.0. The paper analyses the legal implications of society 5.0 in their sociological context. It presents a jurisprudential vision to establish legal norms compatible with the new society. Three fundamental principles should be considered to establish new legal. First, social facts that trigger legal regulation can simultaneously occur in multiple places. Secondly, what the study called duality of legal rules will not survive in society 5.0 era. Third, the paper turns the spotlight on new intelligent systems which may introduce new law addressees.

A combination of 3D printing techniques and synthetic biology, 3D bioprinting is a promising field. It is expected that 3D bioprinting technologies will have applications across an array of fields, spanning biotechnology, medical surgery and the pharmaceutical industry. Nonetheless, the progress of these technologies could be hindered, unless there is adequate and effective protection for related applications. In this article, the authors examine the patent eligibility of 3D bioprinting technologies. This issue raises concern given that existing patent systems are generally averse to nature-derived inventions and many of them exclude products of nature or discoveries from patentability. This qualitative study analyses the current patent systems in key jurisdictions, particularly, the U.S. and the EU, and their applicability, as well as effectiveness, in the context of 3D bioprinting. The study argues that the main reason for the apathy of existing patent systems towards bio-inventions is that they were designed to deal with mechanical inventions. It suggests an innovation framework that encompasses both mechanical and biological inventions to cater adequately to emerging technologies.

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Since the approval of COVID-19 vaccines, international efforts have intensified on vaccination schemes perceived as the only light at the end of the tunnel. Governments are working tirelessly to scale up the number of vaccinated people, just as vaccine manufacturers are stretching their facilities to meet the increasing demand for doses. The international community is trying to help the poorest countries in the world by improving vaccine supplies and removing obstacles. In this regard, India and South Africa have applied to World Trade Organisation to waive vaccine-related intellectual property rights. The proposal has sparked off academic debates as to its merit. This article addresses the waiver controversy. Following a critical review of both dimensions of the controversy, the article concentrates on the extent to which the waiver application contradicts the theoretical justification of the patent system. It concludes that the concerns raised over the conflict between the waiver proposal and the patent right philosophy are indefensible.

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