The draft A2K Treaty would permit countries where urgently needed medicines are unaffordable at market prices to temporarily distribute these medicines at cost for “compassionate use.” Both the developing nations’ license and the draft A2K provision act as mechanisms for wealth distribution from the richer to the poorer parts of the world.

Draft Treaty on Access to Knowledge, available at the Web site of the Consumer Project on Technology. http://www.cptech.org/a2k/.

a. Internet Assignment Find out about the Consumer Project on Technology. Who are they?
Who funds them? What influence would you expect them to have?

b. What considerations would likely govern the U.S. Congress should the A2K Treaty become law?