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ARTICLE · 27 JUNE 2020

Open source science: Balancing the benefits and risks

Corrs Chambers Westgarth
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Open source science involves an owner of intellectual property (IP), sharing their IP at no cost to the potential user.

AustraliaIntellectual Property
Frances Wheelahan
Frances Wheelahan
James Cameron
James Cameron
Emily McClelland
Emily McClelland
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Open source science involves an owner of intellectual property (IP) sharing their IP at no cost to the user, allowing IP owners to contribute to (usually) benevolent objectives while retaining ownership of their IP.

Open source science has the potential to be a great equaliser because it encourages access to IP and information without the financial barriers. It is particularly beneficial for developing countries where there may be gaps in research capabilities, and also has the potential to make IP more rapidly available than users seeking access to IP through a compulsory licensing procedure, if such a procedure is available in their country (see our previous commentary on the compulsory licensing rights under the Australian Patents Act 1990 (Cth) here).

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