The oceans are the second largest natural absorber of carbon dioxide emissions. One of the methods contemplated to enhance the processis fertilization of seawater with iron. The fertilization stimulates the growth of phytoplankton, the main biological agent responsible for the carbon dioxide sequestration processes by seawater. As phytoplankton absorbs the gas it transports it toward the seabed, thus making the ocean a natural carbon sink. Significance of this issue is reflected by the number of parties to the Kyoto Protocol (1997) to the United Nations Framework Convention for the Climate Change (UNFCCC 1992). The signatories include 194 states and the European Union to the UNFCCC and 192 states and the European Union to the Kyoto Protocol.

The Author provides legal analysis on ocean iron fertilization. The issue sparks considerable controversy from the standpoint of law, science and environmental protection. Since iron fertilization has been developed only recently, no thorough evaluation is possible. The Author advocates cautious approach and recommends limiting its use to scientific endeavors.

The article explains marine biodiversity from the standpoint of international law and the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS 1994).

Currently there are dozens of patent applications associated with genes of marine origin outside countries’ jurisdiction. The claims come from developed countries, i.e. the United States, Germany, Japan, France, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Norway. All countries, including landlocked ones, are free to conduct scientific exploration of the sea. The key areas of application of marine genetic resources include pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and general industry.

Despite some controversy patent protection over natural world has long history. In 1873 Louis Pasteur obtained a patent for yeast, and adrenalin and insulin were patented in early 20th century. In the case of Diamond v. Chakrabarty (1980) the United States Supreme Court held that a live, human made microorganism is patentable subject matter.

This article presents a detailed portrait of Walenty Wolski and his lifetime achievements based on a general collection of sources, including parish record books, memoirs and economic documents. The author describes the life of Walenty Wolski, his education, various interests and his involvement in the maintaining of his manor in Royal Pomerania, which was presented against the social and economic background of this province after its annexation to the Prussian State. Wolski, the landlord, expressed his vivid interest in scholarly life and books. He was educated in the humanities, when the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth still existed, and wanted to save many of the artefacts from the former glory of his home-country. He also produced several of his own works, including a description of the war between Prussia and Napoleon in 1806-1810. He started to collect Polish books, manuscripts and graphics as early as the 1770s. It is worth mentioning that many of them were printed in the seventeenth century. The author described the second-hand book market and prices of the books in details. The Wolskis’ private library consisted of an impressive collection of portrait graphics (ca. 12.000 pieces). In 1819-1822 Wolski himself produced from them 32 albums. In doing this he preceded other collectors, such as J. M. Ossoliński, T. Działyński and E. Raczyński. After Wolski’s death, his heirs donated or sold off his collection to various persons or institutions. Many of them were purchased by T. Działyński for the Kórnik Library, where they remain preserved till today. As many as 16 albums of the graphics are now kept in the National Gallery in Poznań. The description of the fate of Wolski’s library certainly contributes to the history of Polish books and their circulation over the centuries.