The tenth session of WIPO’s Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore, which met from 30 November to 8 December 2006, in Geneva, Switzerland, agreed on a way forward for negotiations regarding the protection of traditional knowledge and folklore.

The Committee agreed to allow discussion on substantive issues but not on the basis of drafts previously prepared by the WIPO Secretariat, which have been partially rejected by some members. Instead, the Committee adopted two lists of issues that it agreed would be the focus of future discussions. The Committee requested delegates and observers to provide input on these core issues, which cover questions such as definitions of traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions, the form and scope of protection, and the nature of the beneficiaries.
With regard to genetic resources, the Secretariat was requested to prepare a working document listing options for continuing discussions or further work, including in the area of the disclosure requirement and alternative proposals for dealing with: the relationship between intellectual property and genetic resources; the interface between the patent system and genetic resources; and the intellectual property aspects of access and benefit-sharing contracts. Several countries called for negotiations towards an international instrument on genetic resources.

Links to further information
WIPO press release, 12 December 2006
Meeting decisions
IP Watch, 5 December 2006
IP Watch, 6 December 2006
IP Watch, 6 December 2006
IP Watch, 16 December 2006
ICTSD Bridges Trade BioRes, 15 December 2006