Breakaway Session

Traditional Knowledge Protection and IPR Issues

(17th November, 2006)

Mr. V K Gupta

Director, NISCAIR, New Delhi

International Conclave on Traditional Medicine

Elements of Sui-generis for TK Protection

• Definition of IP adopted in Stockholm Convention (art 2.8), 1967

• “Intellectual property’ shall include the rights relating to inventions in all fields of human endeavour, literary, artistic and scientific works, performances of performing artist, phonograms, and broadcasts, scientific discoveries, and industrial designs

• Inventions are not limited to S&T innovations alone, cover all fields of human endeavour including TK, TCE & Genetic Resources

Inadequacy of existing IPRs for TK Protection

• Can not prevent misappropriation

• TK is holistic– Positive protection need fragmentation

• Cost & affordability

• Sui-generis elements

• Zero cost/minimal cost

• Ownership dispute through opposition

• National/Regional

• Fair and just benefit through market mechanism akin to Patent system

Existing Scenario• Inter Governmental Committee on

Intellectual Property Rights, Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge & Folklore (IGC)

• Convention on Biological Diversity• Draft Legal Instrument for SAARC Countries

on protection of Traditional Knowledge• Sui-gen eris protection of Traditional

Knowledge under the Peruvian Law• Portugal Sui-generis Legislation for the

protection of Traditional Knowledge • Costo Rica Law-Decree No. 7788

CBD & TRIPS

• Granting of IPRs (TK & GR)– Indication of source of origin– Prior Informed Consent– Evidence of Benefit Sharing

• Relationship between TRIPS & TK (Doha declaration), Submission to WTO

• EU approach on indication of source of origin

IGC – Developments – Draft (TK Protection)

• Policy objectives (16)– Respect, Recognition– TK Conservation & preservation, TK holder– PIC & ABS– TK & TCE linkages

• Core principles (9)– Need & Expectations– Recognition– Customary laws– Specificity of TK

• Substantive Principles (14)– Misappropriation– Scope, Eligibility– Beneficiary, PIC & ABS– Duration of Protection– International and Regional Protection

SAARC Legal Framework (Draft)

• Registration and setting up of Licensing mechanism

• Protection for open domain TK databases

• Defensive protection and faster invalidation of wrong Patent

• Customary Laws

Peruvian Law

• Registration & Licensing• National Public Registrar of Collective

Knowledge of Indigenous people.• National Confidential Register of

Collective Knowledge of Indigenous people

• Local Register for Collective Knowledge of Indigenous people.

Thanks

Case Shaman Tribe Fable — Cost of Protection (US $)

Knowledge/Innovations IPR National International

India US EU JAPAN TOTAL

1. Method of preparation and usage of ‘Potion’

2. Vase for any technical feature

Patent/Utility Model

1400 9000 2,02,695 35,250 2,47,043

1. Performance of prayer

2. Garments of Paje’s

Copyright 10 1000 No fee No fee 1100

Case Shaman Tribe Fable — Cost of Protection (US $)

Knowledge/Innovations IPR National International

India US EU JAPAN TOTAL

1. Vase used in preparation ‘Potion’

2. Ceremonial Garments of ‘Page’s

Design 100 1200 1216 3225 5671

1. Plant used in potion subjected to certain requirements

New Plant Variety Protection Act

NA 15000(approx.)

TOTAL ($) 1510 13240 2,03,911 38,475 2,68,000