New Document On Traditional Knowledge, Folklore At WIPO; Chair Calls For New Conceptual Approach 30/08/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The protection of traditional knowledge and folklore against misappropriation is a topic that has been occupying World Intellectual Property Organization delegates for close to two decades. This week a new draft document, presenting a proposed revision of a set of draft articles of potential treaties, was released by a drafting team. As some countries are keen on preserving their original language and ideas, the committee chair called for delegates to move on with their work, and lift themselves above how the patent and copyright system works.
WIPO Traditional Knowledge Committee Begins Work On Core Issues; Indigenous Peoples May Be Left Out 27/08/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization’s committee seeking to find solutions against misappropriation of traditional knowledge opened this morning. While delegates are expected to negotiate wording of a potential treaty, the fund allowing indigenous peoples to participate in the discussions is empty with no foreseeable new donors, described by the chair as a historical situation. The committee is also trying to agree on recommendations for the upcoming WIPO General Assembly next month. On core issues, such as what the protection should cover, who would benefit from it, and under which conditions, delegates still have to find common positions.
Special Report: CBD Advisory Bodies Make Recommendations On Sequence Data, Global Mechanism, Implementation 02/08/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The UN Convention on Biological Diversity advisory bodies met last month to consider issues in preparation of the high-level Conference of the Parties later this year in Egypt. Among the topics were how to deal with genetic resources DNA information under the CBD protocol on access and benefit-sharing (Nagoya Protocol). Another was concerns met by countries implementing the protocol, in particular developing countries, and the need for capacity building.
Study Reconsiders “Public Domain” In The Protection Of Traditional Knowledge 11/07/2018 by Damilola Adepeju for Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment A recent study has revisited the meaning of “public domain” in line with its usage in discussions on protection of traditional knowledge (TK). The study highlights that it provides a non-Eurocentric conception of “public domain” in order to recognise the customary laws and practices of indigenous and local communities (ILCs).
WIPO Publishes Guide To Tackling Issues In Access & Benefit-Sharing Agreements 09/07/2018 by Adithi Koushik for Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment The World Intellectual Property Organization has published a guide to access and benefit-sharing agreements for use of genetic resources.
WIPO IP And Genetic Resources Committee Makes Progress Despite Block At End 02/07/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments It seemed last week that after years of mainly fruitless discussions at the World Intellectual Property Organization committee seeking ways to protect genetic resources, progress was achieved and some agreement was within reach. However, on the last day, the United States, supported by Japan, rose against the consensus on a draft text, provoking the ire of developing countries, and general disappointment.
Disclosure, Sanctions – Still To Be Overcome In WIPO Genetic Resources Negotiations 28/06/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch 1 Comment Efforts to draft new language to bridge gaps in this week’s negotiations on a potential treaty protecting genetic resources at the World Intellectual Property Organization were praised by a number of participants. However, what is now presented as a “package” proposition, focusing the instrument on patents, left some developing countries with the feeling that the concessions they made on the patent-only focus are not being met with a similar efforts by others, in particular on a proposed disclosure requirement for patent applicants.
Indigenous Knowledge Databases: Is It Something To Be Concerned About? 28/06/2018 by Adithi Koushik for Intellectual Property Watch 2 Comments Almost all information today ends up in a database. It is organised and made readily accessible. While it sounds positive, for indigenous communities, it can be crucial. Databases of their knowledge, culture, and genetic resources, if misused, can undermine generations of community effort and maybe even their sustainability. A panel of indigenous peoples’ representatives presented their concerns about databases this week to governments attending a World Intellectual Property Organization meeting on genetic resources.
WIPO Genetic Resources Expert Group Ponders Disclosure Requirement, Databases 27/06/2018 by Catherine Saez, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment On the eve of this week’s meeting of a World Intellectual Property Organization committee on genetic resources, an expert group met behind closed doors to discuss some of the more difficult issues. The report of the expert group to the full committee on 25 June confirmed differences but also common views and avenues to be explored, and has been carried into the week.
US Raises Economic Concerns About Proposals At WIPO On Patents And Genetic Resources 27/06/2018 by William New, Intellectual Property Watch Leave a Comment Normally known for sanguine views of rules to strengthen intellectual property rights globally, the United States government this week submitted a paper at the World Intellectual Property Organization putting forward private sector economic concerns about proposals to strengthen international rules for patenting of genetic resources aimed largely at helping developing countries.