After a drug patent expires, generic manufacturers can produce and sell bioequivalent versions. This competition typically leads to significant price drops, often around 70%, making life-saving treatments more accessible. However, regulatory approval for generics can take time after patent expiry.

• •Patent expiry allows generic entry.
• •Competition drives down prices.
• •Typical price drop can be substantial (e.g., 70%).
• •Regulatory approval for generics is a separate step.

Critics argue that the 20-year term is often too short to recoup massive R&D costs, especially for complex innovations like pharmaceuticals, potentially discouraging future high-risk research. A response is that patent terms are balanced against public access, and mechanisms like extensions exist for specific cases, while also noting that perpetual monopolies are detrimental.

Patent Expiry's effectiveness can be limited by factors like aggressive 'evergreening' strategies by patent holders to extend protection, complex legal challenges, and the high cost and time involved in obtaining regulatory approvals for generic versions, especially in sectors like pharmaceuticals.

The most common trap is assuming the 20-year patent term starts from the date the patent is *granted*. In reality, the term is calculated from the *filing date* of the patent application. This difference can significantly shorten the effective period of exclusivity.

Patent Expiry doesn't guarantee immediate affordability or access; regulatory hurdles for generics and 'evergreening' tactics can delay market entry. Critics also point out that the 20-year term might not adequately compensate for R&D in high-cost sectors like biotech, potentially stifling innovation.

India could strengthen Patent Expiry for public health by streamlining generic drug approval processes, actively using compulsory licensing provisions under TRIPS when necessary, and discouraging 'evergreening' tactics. Balancing innovation incentives with affordable access remains the key challenge.

Patent Expiry applies to inventions and grants exclusive rights for a limited term (usually 20 years), after which the invention is public; Copyright Expiry protects original artistic/literary works for a longer, often life-plus-60-years term, after which they enter the public domain.

Without Patent Expiry, life-saving medicines and essential technologies could remain prohibitively expensive indefinitely, controlled by a few patent holders. This would severely limit access, widen inequality, and stifle competition and further innovation, making many advancements unaffordable for the majority.

The TRIPS Agreement sets minimum standards for intellectual property protection, including patents, globally. It mandates a 20-year patent term but also includes flexibilities like compulsory licensing and parallel imports, which countries can use to ensure access to essential medicines even before patent expiry under specific circumstances.

After a drug patent expires, generic manufacturers can produce and sell bioequivalent versions. This competition typically leads to significant price drops, often around 70%, making life-saving treatments more accessible. However, regulatory approval for generics can take time after patent expiry.

• •Patent expiry allows generic entry.
• •Competition drives down prices.
• •Typical price drop can be substantial (e.g., 70%).
• •Regulatory approval for generics is a separate step.

Critics argue that the 20-year term is often too short to recoup massive R&D costs, especially for complex innovations like pharmaceuticals, potentially discouraging future high-risk research. A response is that patent terms are balanced against public access, and mechanisms like extensions exist for specific cases, while also noting that perpetual monopolies are detrimental.

Patent Expiry's effectiveness can be limited by factors like aggressive 'evergreening' strategies by patent holders to extend protection, complex legal challenges, and the high cost and time involved in obtaining regulatory approvals for generic versions, especially in sectors like pharmaceuticals.

The most common trap is assuming the 20-year patent term starts from the date the patent is *granted*. In reality, the term is calculated from the *filing date* of the patent application. This difference can significantly shorten the effective period of exclusivity.

Patent Expiry doesn't guarantee immediate affordability or access; regulatory hurdles for generics and 'evergreening' tactics can delay market entry. Critics also point out that the 20-year term might not adequately compensate for R&D in high-cost sectors like biotech, potentially stifling innovation.

India could strengthen Patent Expiry for public health by streamlining generic drug approval processes, actively using compulsory licensing provisions under TRIPS when necessary, and discouraging 'evergreening' tactics. Balancing innovation incentives with affordable access remains the key challenge.

Patent Expiry applies to inventions and grants exclusive rights for a limited term (usually 20 years), after which the invention is public; Copyright Expiry protects original artistic/literary works for a longer, often life-plus-60-years term, after which they enter the public domain.

Without Patent Expiry, life-saving medicines and essential technologies could remain prohibitively expensive indefinitely, controlled by a few patent holders. This would severely limit access, widen inequality, and stifle competition and further innovation, making many advancements unaffordable for the majority.

The TRIPS Agreement sets minimum standards for intellectual property protection, including patents, globally. It mandates a 20-year patent term but also includes flexibilities like compulsory licensing and parallel imports, which countries can use to ensure access to essential medicines even before patent expiry under specific circumstances.