Shortcuts
Traditional Knowledge, Genetic Resources and Traditional Cultural Expressions/Folklore
What's New
- Initial draft report of the Twelfth Session (circulated for review by Committee participants)
- Draft gap analyses on TCE and TK protection
- Booklet on the WIPO Voluntary Fund
- Building Community Capacity: a Roundtable on Practical Initiatives on Intellectual Property and Traditional Cultural Expressions, Traditional Knowledge and Genetic Resources (Dec 10 to 12, 2007)
- Decisions of the Twelfth Session of the Committee
Overview
WIPO provides a forum for international policy debate and development of legal mechanisms and practical tools concerning the protection of traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (folklore) against misappropriation and misuse, and the intellectual property (IP) aspects of access to and benefit-sharing in genetic resources.
In 1998 and 1999, WIPO consulted a wide range of stakeholders, such as indigenous peoples and local communities, NGOs, governmental representatives, academics and the private sector, to identify the IP needs and expectations of the holders of TK and cultural expressions. A comprehensive report of these fact-finding missions is available.
Currently, the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (the IGC), which met for the first time in 2001, is discussing draft provisions for the enhanced protection of TK and traditional cultural expressions against misappropriation and misuse.
WIPO's work in these areas involves close cooperation with other international organizations and NGOs, as well as the organisation of a wide range of capacity-building activities. Capacity-building resources include practical IP guidelines and information technology tools for managing IP issues when digitizing intangible cultural heritage, being developed within the Creative Heritage Project.
An overview of all IGC-related material is available here.
