Intellectual Property Rights and Traditional Knowledge - Indian Perspective

The relationship between genetic resources, Traditional Knowledge (TK) and Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) is among the most controversial agenda items in the negotiations of several international organisation. International debates about genetic resources and TK may have profound implications for indigenous and local communities. Yet, participation by local communities in the WTO and WIPO has been very limited. More than ever before, TK faces serious levels of erosion. As the peoples and communities holding TK themselves face a range of threats from outright annihilation to “assimilation” into “mainstream” society, the knowledge they hold also slips away. The purpose of the Protection of Indigenous Knowledge through Intellectual Policy is to argue for the protection of TK using the present system of Intellectual Property (IP). Thus, far, the IP has not been used to protect TK but has inn fact been used to usurp TK, without any benefit to the knowledge holders.