Many are wondering whether intellectual property rights will hinder or slow down the fight against COVID19 world wide. There have been discussions around the chance of infringing patents on valves and other devices that have been reproduced using 3D printers.
Interesting debate and food for thought. In the meanwhile, there is the Open COVID Pledge initiative in the United States that is providing a quick answer to the problem, to make sure IP does not run against its own promise to support innovation and help the mankind to survive and prosper.