IGC Advances Work on New Global Intellectual Property Issues

Geneva, December 17, 2001
Press Releases PR/2001/301

Member states of the World Intellectual Property Organizations (WIPO) concluded the second meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) on December 14, 2001 by approving a number of specific tasks and supporting further work to advance discussions on the intellectual property aspects of the themes under discussion by the Committee.

In the area of genetic resources, the IGC approved further work on the establishment of model intellectual property clauses for contractual agreements regulating access to and benefit-sharing in genetic resources. This could involve the establishment of a database of model clauses submitted by states and other stakeholders to serve as a guide in negotiation of contracts.

The Committee also approved further work within WIPO on the intellectual property aspects of the documentation of public domain traditional knowledge and its inclusion in the patent examination process as part of searchable prior art. This would make a useful contribution to addressing widely-publicized complaints relating to the grant of patents on traditional knowledge.

On traditional knowledge and folklore, the IGC discussed interim reports which on the basis of empirical information describe the extent to which the traditional intellectual property system is sufficient in addressing these forms of knowledge. Final reports will be considered at the third meeting which is scheduled for June 2002. In this regard, work will also continue to identify those components of traditional knowledge that might be protected by intellectual property rights.

The meeting confirmed that WIPO should continue to address these issues in collaboration, where appropriate, with the secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and its Commission on Genetic Resources, as well as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The IGC was established by the WIPO General Assembly in October 2000 following extensive discussions on intellectual property and genetic resources at WIPO between September 1999 and September 2000. The IGC is open to all member states of WIPO or the Paris Union for the Protection of Industrial Property. In addition, member states of the United Nations that are not members of WIPO or the Paris Union, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations accredited with observer status at WIPO may participate in the IGC in an observer capacity.

For further information, please contact the Media Relations & Public Affairs Section at WIPO: Tel: 41 22 3388161/3389547; Email: publicinf@wipo.int; Fax: 41 22 3388810.