Again, it needs to be stressed: nobody is voiding international intellectual property at this time. The only thing that’s at issue is whether the WTO should grant a waiver pursuant to Article 31(b) of TRIPS. (Even the waiver doesn’t “void” or “confiscate” IP). This is probably inevitable with or without the US, since a solid majority of member states have already endorsed this. So this gesture means that the US can at least have a say in the final language, minimizing the worst case scenario. It’s arguably the best thing the US can do for pharmaceutical companies. Having the pharmaceutical companies make a fuss about it will also help (and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the administration gave them the heads up).
Again, it needs to be stressed: nobody is voiding international intellectual property at this time. The only thing that’s at issue is whether the WTO should grant a waiver pursuant to Article 31(b) of TRIPS. (Even the waiver doesn’t “void” or “confiscate” IP). This is probably inevitable with or without the US, since a solid majority of member states have already endorsed this. So this gesture means that the US can at least have a say in the final language, minimizing the worst case scenario. It’s arguably the best thing the US can do for pharmaceutical companies. Having the pharmaceutical companies make a fuss about it will also help (and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the administration gave them the heads up).