IPRs, Innovation And Sustainable Development Goals: A Post-Covid Socio-Legal Analysis
- IJLLR Journal
- May 12
- 2 min read
Anubhuti Yadav, B.B.A. LL.B. (H), Department of Law, School of Legal Studies, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted all global systems while showing how systems were weak along with creating space for new transformative approaches. The global pandemic highlighted significant weaknesses in public health programs alongside economic stability and educational dissemination platforms as well as environmental administration across all world nations. Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) together with innovation became essential resources used to create technological gains alongside fostering socio-economic strength alongside sustainable recovery during the global crisis. Widespread recognition exists regarding how IPRs create innovation incentives specifically for pharmaceuticals and digital products. The dispute between exclusive technological rights and the necessity of equal technology access grew intensive during the pandemic. Re-evaluating the socio-legal effects of the IPR system assumes critical importance when countries work to adapt their development priorities to United Nations SDGs.
This paper delves into the intersection of IPRs, innovation, and SDGs in a post-COVID world and further reviews international and Indian IPR regulations to check their consistency against sustainable development core objectives. IPRs function as both regulators and fuel for innovation while creating a pathway toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. A research partnership of legal studies with socio-economic evaluation examines current IPR systems to evaluate their support or limitations for fair development tools. The study’s India-specific research delves into national guidelines and examines neighbourhood knowledge practices while analysing biodiversity defence methods and local development techniques. The paper evaluates the worldwide conversations regarding TRIPS flexibilities together with compulsory licensing and open-access models since the emergence of COVID-19 vaccine patent waiver discussions. The study demonstrates that establishing an IPR system requires a balance between protecting innovation while maintaining access for all.
Keywords: Technological advancement, Development tools, Innovation, COVID-19, Intellectual Property Rights, Sustainable Development Goals.
