Latest Draft From WIPO Informal Negotiations On TK, Genetic Resources

A new draft emerged today, the last day of the negotiations, on renewal of the mandate of a World Intellectual Property Organization committee on protection of genetic resources and traditional knowledge.

The annual WIPO General Assemblies are taking place from 2-11 October. There are still a range of issues outstanding, heading into the final night, including the text of the mandate of the Intergovernmental Committee on Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC).

The latest draft, available here[pdf] appears to show few changes over the previous text, which was posted by Intellectual Property Watch here (IPW, WIPO, 10 October 2017).

An example of a change is in paragaph (d), which states that “the Secretariat is also requested to produce a report(s) compiling studies, proposals and other materials relating to tools and activities on databases, and on existing disclosure regimes relating to GR and associated TK.” The element referring to disclosure appears to be new.

The new draft also appears to make changes in the timeline for actions in 2018 and 2019, in paragraph (e).

Negotiations are going on in informal groups behind closed doors.