> In fact, the president of the EU, Charles Michel has already hinted at invoking Article 122 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which could force vaccine-makers to share their patents
In my opinion they should, This is no time to play silly games regarding contract law. Vaccines should be produced as quickly as possible by as many capable facilities as possible.
Let's also not forget that most of the developing world is dead last in receiving vaccines, and greatly increasing production could prevent the death of countless lives.
The market for the vaccine is two doses per adult per year for the entire planet. If we call it a market at all.
Lots of countries need help, the EU countries should be low on the list of places requiring international aid.
I think first it remains to be seen if AstraZeneca did something problematic. But if that is the case, one can be sure there will be political repercussions. Though I think that they are now just using the threat of repercussions to force AstraZeneca to change their policies. If they do so, this will be the first big test for the new relation between the EU and Brittain and AstraZeneca will be in the middle of it.
[1] https://www.politico.eu/article/charles-michel-says-eu-could...