Cooling India with less warming: examining patents for alternatives to Hydrofluorocarbons

Patents and other intellectual property such as know-how are a complex issue for policy makers and civil society experts, especially considering the large number of patents involved and the sensitivity and confidentiality around licensing agreements. This paper does not attempt to offer a solution to the patent debate. Rather, it examines the experiences of developing countries of dealing with patents during earlier transitions under the Montreal Protocol, highlights the key issues faced by Indian industry and policy makers.