One year ago, the Biden administration announced its support for a proposal at the World Trade Organization (WTO) that would waive Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) protections for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Last week, WTO member states agreed to a limited waiver that only covers vaccines and patents—not therapeutics or trade secrets. Both sides of the debate are relatively unhappy with this outcome. Does this mean it was a good compromise, or did the WTO somehow fall short in its duties? How is the Biden administration doing on other intellectual property (IP) issues?

On this episode, Shane welcomes AEI Adjunct Fellow Michael Rosen back to the podcast for a check-in on the TRIPS waiver issue, along with a more general update on the global IP policy landscape. Michael is the AEI tech policy team’s specialist on IP issues; he writes often on IP-related incentives for innovation, and on patent reform in Congress and at the US Patent and Trademark Office. He is also a book review columnist for The Federalist and National Review.