How to Save a Life
Because companies invest a significant amount of money in R&D, it makes sense for them to patent and protect any discoveries or advances that they make so that they can recoup their investment by ensuring that they, rather than their rivals, benefit from it.
The problem with this is when one of these innovations has the potential to save lives and improve the world truly. With this in mind, Volvo had the foresight to recognize that developing a three-point seat belt was so essential to the rest of the globe that it would be foolhardy to keep it under wraps. Good for you, Volvo!