contribute to the resolution of societal challenges; and are properly registered in the patent system. The National Institute for the Defence of Competition and Protection of Intellectual Property protects inventions that are duly patented. This guarantees the inventor's exclusivity rights, especially when the product enters the Peruvian market with a strictly commercial purpose. However, universities, research centres and the scientific community have free access to patents because they are considered a valuable source of technical information. For further information on this topic please contact