This timely monograph focuses on India and Brazil’s use of compulsory licensing, one of the most significant and controversial TRIPS flexibilities. This is a topical work at this critical time when the COVID-19 has stirred up the debate about compulsory licensing and access to medicines. A closer look into the historical use of compulsory licences in certain countries can offer some takeaways for the current situation.

The author studies historical developments and political conditions of the patent system and compulsory licensing from the earliest stage to the modern arena,...