New Text For Committee On Traditional Knowledge, Folklore, And Genetic Resources

The chair of the World Intellectual Property Organization Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore has released a draft chairman’s proposal for accelerated work at the next two meetings of the IGC. The text of the document, which includes draft terms of reference for three working groups on traditional cultural expressions/expressions of folklore, traditional knowledge, and genetic resources, is available below. It suggests addressing the issues in two IGC sessions in 2009 prior to the September General Assemblies, with informal expert working groups to be held during the first from 9 to 13 March, and a report of the expert groups to be presented at the second from 29 June to 3 July.

IGC Chair Text 17 October [pdf].

For more information on the meetings of the IGC, taking place this week from 13 to 17 October, see IPW, WIPO, 17 October and the two articles from IPW, WIPO, 16 October here and here.