Synergy Between SDG1 And Intellectual Property: Need Of The Time To Balance The Rights Of The Owner And The Needs Of The Ultimate Consumer
- IJLLR Journal
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
Prof. (Dr.) Leena Moudgil, Vivekananda School of Law and Legal Studies, Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies - Technical Campus, GGSIPU, Delhi
ABSTRACT
Sustainable Development Goal 1 aims to eradicate poverty in all its forms, whereas the intellectual property (IP) regime goal is to incentivize innovation by granting exclusive rights to creators and inventors. Though it appears that there is a tension between the two, mainly when the strong IP protections limit the access to essential goods such as medicines, agricultural technologies, and educational resources for economically disadvantaged populations. However, a nuanced legal and policy framework reveals the potential for synergy between SDG 1 and IP systems, provided a careful balance is maintained between proprietary rights and public welfare.
This paper examines the evolving interface between poverty alleviation and intellectual property protection, emphasizing the need to harmonize innovation incentives with equitable access. The paper argues that a balanced IP regime is not only compatible with SDG 1 but is essential to achieving its objectives in a sustainable and equitable manner. Both the rights of owner and need of consumer are very important. We cannot leave either of them. Due to clashes of interest, products are not reaching the people who are in dire need of help. The historical texts like Upanishad and Atharva Veda mention about collective responsibility, interconnectedness, sustainable living and knowledge sharing. A repository of traditional knowledge is a big step in this direction. The present paper will look into the various judicial pronouncements and case studies on intellectual property and sustainable development. It is high time that we should balance the rights and create synergy so that it is beneficial to the entire human kind.
Keywords: Sustainable living, Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, Environment, Poverty alleviation, Research institutes
