Covid-19 and the Role of Intellectual Property: Position Statement of the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition of 7 May 2021

In this Statement, the authors take a position on waiver of intellectual property (IP) protection currently being considered by members World Trade Organisation. The was initiated India and South Africa as measure to enable rapid access affordable medical products that are necessary combat Covid-19. initiative gained momentum after US decided support it. do not consider path be expedient. Statement presents factual legal arguments why comprehensive IP is unlikely suitable towards pursued objective. Overall, it argues rights may so far have played an enabling facilitating rather than hindering role in overcoming global community might better off if waived, neither during nor pandemic. There more efficient direct ways supply developing countries with vaccines quickly – industrialised willing their share. The can supported filling form: https://forms.gle/c4kc8m9JE44AwjoJ7.