November 10, 2014
Government-use compulsory licensing has almost always stirred up controversies and debates with regard to its appropriateness, actual benefits, and detriments. Patent owners and advocates of IP protection remain firm on the position that while a country has the right to override patents by issuing compulsory licenses (CLs) in certain limited circumstances, this should be viewed as a last resort, not a preferred method of tackling public health issues.