title: Vaccines and IP Rights: A Multifaceted Relationship.
abstract: Just as there are many forms of vaccines and components to vaccines-particular compositions, delivery systems, components, and distribution networks-there are a variety of intellectual property (IP) protections applicable for vaccines. IP rights such as patent, copyright, trademarks, plant breeders' rights, and trade secrets may all be applicable to vaccines. Thus, discussion of IP rights and vaccines should not begin and end with the application of one IP right to a vaccine. The discussion should engage considerations of multiple IP rights applicable to a vaccine and how these can be utilized in an integrated manner in a strategy aimed at supporting the development and distribution of the vaccine. Such an approach to IP rights to vaccines allows for the integrated rights to be considered in light of the justifications for protecting vaccines with IP rights, as well as the issues relating to specific IP rights for vaccines, such as compulsory license regimes, available humanitarian purpose IP credits, etc. To view vaccines as the subject of multiple IP protections involves a refocusing, but the outcome can provide significant benefits for vaccine development and distribution.
authors.affiliation: Miller Thomson, LLP, 40 King St. W., Suite 5800, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5H 3S1. kdurell@millerthomson.com.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Durell
mesh_terms: D001947:Breeding / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003309:Copyright; D003906:Developing Countries; D018973:Intellectual Property; D010330:Patents as Topic; D063245:Plant Development; D011634:Public Health; D012066:Relief Work; D014612:Vaccines
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines
keywords: IP strategy; Intellectual property; Vaccines