Committee Meetings

Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources and Folklore: IGC to Intensify Work

The Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources and Folklore (IGC) met from February 25 to 29. Following the election of a new chairperson, Mr. Jaya Ratnam, who is also Singapore's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, the IGC considered a variety of working formats, including inter-sessional meetings and expert group work as practical steps in advancing its work towards a concrete outcome. The IGC agreed to review formal proposals for enhanced and accelerated working procedures at its next session in autumn 2008.

With regard to traditional cultural expressions, or folklore, (TCEs), the Committee undertook a detailed debate, paying close attention to the interplay between the existing international legal framework and calls for extended or enhanced protection of TCEs. The debate on the protection of traditional knowledge (TK) demonstrated increasing convergence on the role and context of such protection, although some participants pointed to the need for greater clarity of focus. Indigenous participants highlighted the specific character of indigenous knowledge systems. Work on genetic resources issues was informed by complementary developments in other forums, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United National Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The IGC will review concrete proposals for its work in this area at its next session.

In order to focus and intensify work on the protection of TCEs and TK, the IGC drew up proposals to analyze gaps in the protection available under the current international legal framework. These "gap analyses" will be developed through an open commentary process leading up to the next IGC session. This exercise will build on the solid foundation already established by the Committee in developing two new reports on the positions of its members regarding the key issues arising from calls for enhanced protection of TK and TCEs.

WIPO Development Agenda - First Meeting of the CDIP

The Committee on Development and Intellectual Property (CDIP) met for the first time from...