Bangladesh, along with Haiti, Rwanda, and many other countries, relies on its TRIPS exemption for cheaper medicine and access to the innovation economy. Image via Orangeadnan/Flickr
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It's important to note that IP restrictions haven't actually stopped companying in countries compliant with the TRIPS agreement from swiping each other's ideas. Battling over patents is simply the way tech business is conducted now, and in multiple cases, including Samsung-Apple and the Monsanto soybean case, billions of dollars have been spent on legal battles. Developing countries can't afford to step into the ring, which is a large part of why patent warfare is kiling innovation.Expiration of the waiver would keep these countries under the economic boot heel of more powerful international economic interests.
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