In the context of intellectual property rights, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of releasing projects under 'Open Source' license.

Intellectual property rights give the owner of any original work or idea exclusive rights on its use. Eg. copyright on a song lyrics, or patent on invented medicine. Disadvantages of 'open source license': 1. It makes projects available for use by all leading to violation of exclusive rights on it. 2. Open source allows for misuse of information eg. by non-state actors or organised crime. 3. Does not give monetary benefits to owner & disincentivizes innovation.

Advantages: 1. Life done in case of social welfare inventions like cancer drugs freely available & cheaply available. 2. Increased economic growth 3. Reduced disparities among states due to initial inequality. 4. On principles of 'cooperation for development' India too believes in 'open source' license for necessity drugs of pharmaceuticals. But there should come with adequate safeguards.