Compulsory license

A compulsory patent license is a legal authorization granted by a government to a third party to exploit a patent without the consent of the patent holder. This measure is generally implemented with the aim of promoting the public interest, for example, by guaranteeing access to essential technologies in areas such as health, the environment or other strategic areas.

Compulsory licenses can be implemented for various reasons, such as national emergencies, abusive monopolies on essential products or services, or to facilitate competition in the market. They are often accompanied by specific conditions such as the payment of royalties to the patent holder.

These licenses are generally granted within the framework of specific national legislation and are often subject to political and legal debate due to their potential impact on intellectual property rights and innovation.