American voters favor strengthening IP protections – TRIPS isn’t popular

A new poll finds most Americans want the Biden administration to protect IP rights on the international stage, and both consumers and investors are increasingly interested in products made from captured carbon. (560 words, 2 minutes, 48 seconds) 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.