Although this book makes no attempt to provide a grand solution to the long-standing question of how to balance patents and access to medicine, it should promote an eventual solution by clearing away some confusion and facilitating a better understanding of competing views of patents. I strongly believe the best results will emerge once there is both a broad-based understanding of the legal issues and a greater understanding and acceptance of diff erent views. Th e views of some may be resistant to change, but that does not mean it is not worth trying to do so. It is in that spirit that this book was written.