EUROCHAM Malaysia was featured in the European Commission’s IP Helpdesk news with the Guest Article from EUROCHAM Malaysia (IPR Committee): Updates on patent waivers and recent World Trade Organisation (WTO) decisions – where are we now? Article is as follows:

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrust the issue of patents and patent waivers into the global spotlight. It was one of the most pressing issues on the agenda at the Twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva [1](12–17 June 2022), and was also discussed extensively in the press in many countries. This article examines the impact of the recent WTO decisions made in Geneva on the issue of patent waivers.

Why are patents important, and why have some countries called for waivers?

Pharmaceutical companies conduct research and develop vaccines, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic tools that are essential in the fight against things like viruses such as COVID-19. These are highly technical products, and companies apply for patents of their inventions in this area. Patent law requires the companies to publicly disclose their inventions, and, in return, they are given a period of monopoly during which no one else is permitted to produce or sell the invention without their authorisation.

Read the full article here: https://intellectual-property-helpdesk.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/guest-article-eurocham-malaysia-ipr-committee-updates-patent-waivers-and-recent-world-trade-2022-08-11_en

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