Traditional Knowledge Portal of Online Databases

Terms of Use

Any access to and use of the online Traditional Knowledge Databases linked to this Portal, the data and materials compiled in them, and any associated information, software or documentation (henceforth contained and collectively referred to as "the Databases") are subject to General Terms of Use, which apply to all WIPO websites, and certain Specific Terms of Use, which apply specifically to the Databases and are set out below.

Please read both the General and Specific Terms of Use (henceforth collectively referred to as "the Terms") carefully before accessing and using the Databases. Accessing and using the Databases indicates that you accept the Terms and undertake to comply with the Terms in full. If you do not accept the Terms, you should not use the Databases and cease any further use of materials you have obtained from the Databases.

Specific Terms of Use

1. The Databases are provided to the public for the purposes of prior art searches and such other informational purposes as may be specified in the Databases. WIPO makes no representation or warranties, express or implied, of any kind, including (without limitation) as to the correctness, reliability, accuracy, currency, completeness or correct translation into the English language of the Databases.

2. WIPO is hyperlinking and publishing the Databases online at the request of its Member States to evaluate the usefulness of online databases for prior art searches. The hyperlinking and publication of the Databases should not be considered to be legal advice or to represent an opinion as to the availability under the intellectual property laws of any jurisdiction of legal protection for traditional knowledge or traditional knowledge-related inventions or any other contents of the Databases.

3. The fact that an invention cannot be found by searching the Databases does not mean that the invention is patentable.

4. WIPO makes no warranties of representations, express or implied, with respect to the existence of consent of third parties, including prior informed consent by holders of traditional knowledge, the consent of which may be required for the use, incorporation or publication of the data in the Databases or the use of such data by others.

5. Copyright: Copyright in the Databases and their contents is reserved, without prejudice to copyright and other rights of any works which are included in the Databases. The Databases may include works which are the property of third parties and which are also protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights. WIPO does not warrant that such rights are not infringed by the publication or use of the Databases. Unless otherwise noted, you may view, copy, download, and print data from the Databases so long as you use them only for personal, non-commercial purposes and acknowledge their source.

6. Other Intellectual Property Rights: Any product, process or technology described in the patent and non-patent literature contained in the Databases may be the subject of other intellectual property rights, which are reserved and not licensed hereunder. However, personal, non-commercial use is permitted.

7. The inclusion of documented traditional knowledge in the Databases should not be construed as an endorsement of its status under any legal regime granting protection to traditional knowledge subject matter, such as legislation for the protection of traditional medicine, farmers’ rights, cultural heritage, expressions of folklore, or similar legislation. The data in the Databases should not be relied on to suggest any particular course of action for an individual or group in relation to any elements of traditional knowledge systems, whether or not those elements are contained in the Databases. Information obtained in the Databases is not exhaustive and does not cover all uses of the medicinal plants.

8. WIPO assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the Databases. The Databases may include technical or other inaccuracies or typographical errors, and changes may be periodically added to the information therein. WIPO does not warrant that the Databases will operate without interruptions or errors and does not warrant that errors will be corrected.

9. WIPO may update, make changes to, or delete data and materials in, and related to, the Databases, as well as the software by which they are saved, searched, retrieved and displayed, at any time and without notice. The materials in the Databases may be out of date, and WIPO makes no commitment to update the materials in the Databases. Changes to patent documents, contained in Certificates of Correction and Re-examinations Certificates which relate to patent literature included in the Databases, are not incorporated in the Databases.

10. The data and materials contained in the Databases are provided "as is" without any warranties of any kind whatsoever. Neither WIPO, nor its Member States or the providers of data included in the Databases shall have any liability under any theory or principle of liability or indemnity in connection with the use of the Databases. By accessing the Databases, you hereby release and forever waive any and all claims you may have against WIPO, its Member States or the providers of data included in the Databases (including but not limited to claims based upon the negligence of WIPO, its Member States or the providers of data included in the Databases) for any losses or damages you may sustain in connection with your use of the Databases.

11. General: WIPO may revise the General Terms of Use and these Specific Terms of Use for the Database at any time without notice, by updating this webpage. It is recommended to visit this page from time to time to review the then-current Terms because they are binding on all users of the Databases. The current version of the Specific Terms of Use is indicated below.

Last revised: June 3, 2002