Traditional Knowledge

Knowledge that is local or indigenous is caled traditional knowledge. It refers to the traditions, customs and practices of indigenous, or local communities. Traditional knowledge includes wisdom and long tested teachings of these communities.

Books On  Traditional Knowledge

Intellectual Property Rights

Case Law
Traditional knowledge is not just personal or spiritual.. Traditional knowledge also has economic value. Certain communities depend on their traditional knowledge for survival. Therefore traditional knowledge needs to be protected.

Communities are now looking up to intellectual property laws to preserve, protect, and promote their traditional knowledge. Certain communities have also sought to make equitable use of their traditional knowledge. Currently, only a few nations offer explicit sui generis protection for traditional knowledge.

Traditional knowledge can be protected by prevent others from using or securing intellectual property rights over traditional knowledge.

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is actively working with different nations, organizations, and communities to address the policy and legal issues to protect traditional knowledge.

References
Blakeney M., Bioprospecting and the Protection of Traditional Medical Knowledge of Indigenous People: an Australian Perspective, in E.I.P.R. 1997, 29(6), 298-303.
Blakeney M., The Protection of Traditional Knowledge under Intellectual Property Law, in E.I.P.R. 2000, 22(6), 251-261.
Drahos P., Indigenous Knowledge, Intellectual Property and Biopiracy: Is a Global Biocollecting Society the Answer, in E.I.P.R. 2000, 22(6), 245-250.
Dutfield G., Legal and Economic Aspects of Traditional Knowledge, in International Public Goods and Transfer of Technology Under a Globalized Intellectual Property Regime, edited by J.H. Reichman & K. Maskus, Cambridge, 2005.
Dutfield G., TRIPS-related Aspects of Traditional Knowledge, in 33 Case W. Res. J. Int’l L. 233, 2001.
Gopalakrishnan N.S., TRIPS and Protection of Traditional Knowledge of Genetic Resources: New Challenges to the Patent System, in E.I.P.R. 2005, 27(1), 11-18.
Pires de Carvalho N., From the Shaman’s Hut to the Patent Office: In Search of a TRIPS-Consistent Requirement to Disclose the Origin of Genetic Resources and Prior Informed Consent, in 17 Wash. U. J.L. & Pol’y 111 2005.

Books On  Traditional Knowledge

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Intellectual Property, Biogenetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge (September 2004)
by Graham Dutfield
This book is about the relationships between intellectual property (IP), biochemical and genetic resources ('biogenetic resources' for short  both as they exist in nature and in the form of commercial products)  and knowledge relating to practical applications of these resources, including traditional knowledge
Graham Dutfield is Senior Research Fellow at Queen Mary College London. He is co-editor of Trading in Knowledge (2003, ) and Intellectual Property Rights, Trade and Biodiversity (2002).

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Biodiversity and Traditional Knowledge (Paperback)
by Sarah A. Laird (Editor)
This practical manual demonstrates how to arrive at equitable and successful arrangements over access to, and the commercial development of, genetic resources. Despite much discussion at the international policy level relating to the use of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, to date there has been no such guide on integrating concepts into practice. Many parties have stakes in the commercial use of biodiversity, from local communities and indigenous peoples to resource managers, NGOs, research institutes and universities, industry and national governments.
This guide draws on experience from a range of countries around the world to show how the benefits from the commercial use of biodiversity can be maximized and shared equitably while also achieving local conservation and development objectives. It explains how groups can better design and control the terms of research and business partnerships, and also how to participate in drafting national laws and contributing to international policy debate.
No single model fits all circumstances, and the manual is structured to enable readers to select and apply approaches most relevant to them. It includes extensive information on the codes, contracts, policies and other documents required, as well as extensive contact details. It will be an invaluable tool for all the stakeholders involved in benefit-sharing research and commercial partnerships.
Published in association with WWF International and UNESCO
Practice manual demonstrates how to arrive at equitable and successful arrangements over access to, and the commercial development of, genetic resources. Draws on experience from a range of countries around the world to show how the benefits from the commercial use of biodiversity can be maximized. Softcover.
Sarah A. Laird is co-author of "The Commercial Use of Biodiversity".

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Indigenous Heritage and Intellectual Property: Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge, and Folklore (Hardcover)
by Anja Von Hahn (Contributor), Michael Hassemer (Contributor), Roland Knaak (Contributor), Annette Jur (Contributor), Matthias Leistner (Contributor), Silke Von Lewinski (Editor), Agnes Lucas-Schloetter (Contributor), P. Tobias Stoll (Contributor), Silke Von Lewinski (Editor)
First Sentence:
For the past few years, the topic of genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore has entered the ambit of intellectual property discussions.

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Community Resources: Intellectual Property, International Trade And Protection Of Traditional Knowledge (Globalization and Law) (Hardcover)
by Johanna Gibson

Intellectual Property Needs and Expectations of Traditional Knowledge Holders: Wipo Report on Fact-Finding Missions on Intellectual Property and Traditional Knowledge (1998-1999 (Paperback)
by World Intellectual Property Organization

Wipo Technical Study On Patent Disclosure Requirements Related To Genetic Resources And Traditional Knowledge
World Intellectual Property (November 15, 2004)

Rights to Plant Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge : Basic Issues and Perspectives (CABI Publishing) (Hardcover) (June 1, 2006)
by S. Biber-Klemm, T. Cottier
This book discusses the means, instruments and institutions to create incentives to promote conservation and sustainable use of traditional knowledge and plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, in the framework of the world trade order. It approaches these topics on a broad basis: it analyses in depth the option to create specific sui generis intellectual property rights of the TRIPS Agreement It then discusses the ways to support the maintenance of information which cannot be allocated to specific authors, and examines alternative concepts within the trade of traditionally generated information and related products.

Indigenous Heritage and Intellectual Property Biodiversity and Traditional Knowledge Intellectual Property Needs and Expectations of Traditional Knowledge Holders Wipo Technical Study On Patent Disclosure Requirements Related To Genetic Resources And Traditional Knowledge Rights to Plant Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledg Protection Of Traditional Knowledge Intellectual Property, Biogenetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge