Pandemic, Patents and Public interest

Abstract

There is a constant tug of war in patent law between the value of promoting innovators and the need to ensure access to technology for customers. The legislation itself mirrors this tussle. But for the patent system to work and be meaningful to society, this continuous attempt to balance the rights between patentees and consumers is necessary. Some laws are viewed as pro-patentee, i.e., in favor of innovators, while some laws are perceived to ensure that inventions benefit the public.