How Intellectual Property Has Played a Pivotal Role in the Global COVID-19 Response

Faced with a global pandemic, innovators worldwide have responded by developing breakthrough solutions to address local and global needs. This includes not only biomedically oriented and revolutionary vaccines, therapeutics, and ventilators but also information technology-powered solutions such as video conferencing and even robo-puppies to help people cope with social isolation. Intellectual property (IP) has played an indispensable role in researching, developing, and bringing these innovations to market. The role of IP in enabling innovation during this worldwide crisis can not be understated. Yet, there are those who would erroneously claim IP has represented a barrier to ending the pandemic. This and other IP myths are addressed in ITIF’s new report on ways IP has enabled innovations that have helped sustain the world through the pandemic.

ITIF hosted an expert panel discussion about the report and the vital role IP has played throughout the pandemic.