Leveraging Intellectual Property to Prevent Nuclear War

Although international law forbids nuclear attacks, only nine states have mutually assured destruction available to prevent direct attacks against themselves, while non-nuclear few substantive options deter a attack. This study analyzes the economic impacts of theoretical agreement that eliminates patent rights for any aggressor (i.e., free global compulsory licensing all intellectual property (IP) aggressor). The results found but one would significant disincentive start attack if proposal was put into force. Payback times ranged from 1.2 40 years, where entire GDP be needed offset loss aggression, indicate such mechanism as whole an effective deterrent. method not universally without ensuring are members economy and IP processes. With growth open-source products reduced value patents, this does limited effectiveness time. Currently it appears policy trajectory worthy future work can enhance safety threat causing harm countries goodwill.