The basic idea of a benevolent patent extension is straightforward. An inventor who applies to patent a ‘benevolent discovery’ — one that targets LMICs’ needs — is given the opportunity to offset the R&D costs by extending another patent, for a ‘non-essential’ product. The condition is that the benevolent discovery be offered to the public for unrestricted, non-exclusive, global use, royalty-free for the duration of its patent.