The trouble with Africa..

Lessig’s Free Culture ends on a very powerful note, revealing the international need for reform and demonstrating how the fight over protecting intellectual property is costing human lives. This latter argument in particular had struck a chord with me. The logic is simple: pharmaceutical companies are essentially selling an AIDS treatment that costs a dollar to produce at outrageous prices such as $1500. While some people in the westernized nations may be able to afford this, it is completely unaffordable in countries that need in most-- sub-Saharan Africa. This pricing power stems from a monopoly standing that drug companies earn from a patented drug. Therefore, there is no incentive to sell the drug at $1 in Africa (and the rest of the world), if a higher price and net profit can be achieved.

But what really troubles me is that the problem doesn’t end here. To keep things simple, I will isolate this discussion to the troubles plaguing Africa. This continent, which has not witnessed an increase in living standards in the last hundred years, could greatly benefit from a relaxing of international IP law. An economy cannot take off without a stable infrastructure, starting at the grassroots. Countless textbooks, software, and digital media that fall in the realm of IP are likely being withheld from those in poverty because it is impossible for most to afford, say, a $150 university textbook. These products could greatly impact the long-run stability of the African continent by helping to increase the average education levels; but instead, these companies are more focused on retaining a large profit margin. Similarly, there are many vital technologies such as computers or cars that don’t stand a chance to gain a footing in these markets because of their current, overly exorbitant prices. Perhaps if we could loosen the IP laws to allow knock offs or copy-cats, the living standards in Africa may start to see a rise.