Voters want strong IP protection
Biotechnology Innovation Organization, 1-18-2024, | BIO is the world’s largest advocacy association representing biotechnology companies, academic and research institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations across the United States and in more than 30 other nations. | "U.S. voters favor strong IP protection", No Publication, https://www.bio.org/gooddaybio-archive/us-voters-favor-strong-ip-protection | DOA: 7/28/2024 | Skrishna |
U.S. voters favor strong international IP protection, poll finds
Most Americans want the Biden administration to protect intellectual property rights at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and express concerns about waiving those rights, finds a new poll commissioned by the Bayh-Dole Coalition.
Why it matters: In 2022, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) agreed to a waiver of WTO IP protection for COVID vaccines. Now, USTR is considering an extension of the waiver to include COVID diagnostics and therapeutics.
The key finding: 7 in 10 respondents said it’s important for the Biden administration to preserve WTO IP protections, and most said it’s very important, finds a Morning Consult poll of 2,202 U.S. adults conducted Dec. 22-24.
China is a concern: 68% said U.S. adversaries like China should not be able to replicate American-made technologies without permission from the inventors—with only 11% disagreeing and 21% saying they don’t know.
Vote for IP protection: 66% would be inclined to vote for a candidate who prioritizes stronger IP rights, while 11% said they prefer a candidate who weakens IP rights.
IP waivers aren’t necessary—and the COVID vaccine IP waiver was never used because IP was never a barrier to global distribution, 19 House Democrats recently told USTR.
BIO agrees: “There is no credible evidence supporting the need for an expanded TRIPS waiver,” said BIO Chief Policy Officer John Murphy.