Define "compulsory licensing".

Compulsory licensing refers to a legal mechanism that allows third parties to produce a patented product or use a patented process without the consent of the patent owner under specific conditions. This arrangement typically arises under circumstances where it is deemed in the public interest, such as ensuring availability of essential drugs or technology, especially during emergencies or public health crises.

This concept is crucial in balancing the rights of patent holders with the needs of society, providing a pathway for access to innovations, especially when the patent holder chooses not to exploit their patent adequately or if the product is too costly for consumers. In such cases, a government can issue a compulsory license, compelling the patent owner to allow others to manufacture the product, often at a set royalty rate.

The other options do not accurately describe compulsory licensing. Voluntary licensing, for instance, involves the patent owner willingly giving permission for others to use their patent, which is quite different from the involuntary nature of compulsory licensing. Requiring compensation for patent owners does not capture the essence of compulsory licensing, which specifically involves third-party use without the owner's consent. Lastly, legal constraints on trademark licensing agreements focus on a different aspect of intellectual property law and do not pertain to the licensing of patents. This distinction clarifies why the