Policies and principles to help protect traditional knowledge were the focus of a recent meeting convened by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

WIPO’s Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore was held in Geneva from 1-5 November. With 104 member States in attendance, the Committee continued its work on concrete outcomes for the protection of traditional knowledge and cultural expressions. It also reviewed a set of draft provisions compiling suggestions on policy objectives and core principles to help protect traditional knowledge and cultural expressions against misappropriation and misuse. Delegates explored a series of relevant issues, including how specific methods to protect traditional knowledge might fit within the existing intellectual property system, and possible reforms of the intellectual property system. They also discussed what the appropriate legal forms of protection might be, and addressed questions of national and international jurisdiction. In their discussions, delegates emphasized the need for close coordination with other international processes and agreed on a process to move forward by inviting written comments on the draft proposals. The Committee also addressed arrangements to enhance the involvement of indigenous and local communities and agreed to develop plans for a voluntary fund to support their participation.
Links to further information
Documents and decisions from the meeting
WIPO press release