Questionnaire IC/Q4Questionnaire on Databases and Registries related to Traditional Knowledge and Genetic Resources (WIPO/GRTKF/IC/Q.4)

This questionnaire (WIPO/GRTKF/IC/Q.4 [DOC]) has been prepared at the request of the Intergovernmental Committee at its third session. The questionnaire seeks to ascertain whether databases and registries are appropriate mechanisms for the preservation and protection of TK and Genetic Resources and, if so, for which objectives and with which functions they may be useful.

The questionnaire is meant only to assess existing experiences and needs in this important area. The WIPO program does not promote the establishment or use of databases or registries, or any particular approach to their use. It does promote international discussion about how they can be best used to advance the IP-related interests of custodians of TK and genetic resources.

Important decisions need to be made before any process of recording or documenting TK, whether in the form of a registry or database, or in a less structured form. The Toolkit on IP Management When Documenting TK and Genetic Resources is being developed to support TK holders in addressing this question.

Answers are invited from a wide range of stakeholders, including local communities, government agencies, database compilers, scientific and documentation institutions, IP professionals and private companies.

Which part of the questionnaire [DOC] should you complete?

• If you have already established or operated a database/registry, or you are in the process of establishing such a database/registry, then please answer the list of questions in Annex B [DOC].
• If not, please answer the list of questions in Annex A [DOC].

Responses may be sent, preferably by email, to the Global Intellectual Property Issues Division at grtkf@wipo.int
Postal: WIPO, 34, chemin des Colombettes, 1211, Geneva 20 (Switzerland)
Fax: (41 22) 338 8120

For background information on this WIPO questionnaire, please see document WIPO/GRTKF/IC/3/6.