Invitation to Workshop
[ Last Updated 7 April 2006 ]
The World Intellectual Property Organisation ("WIPO") has established an Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore ("the IGC"). As part of its work in examining the interface between intellectual property ("IP") and traditional knowledge ("TK") the IGC is developing two sets of policy objectives and principles for the protection of TK and traditional cultural expressions ("TCE") (as a subset of TK, also referred to as folklore). The aim of setting policy objectives and principles is to agree on a general direction for protection of TK at the international level, at WIPO.
It is important to note that the work of WIPO and the IGC is not intended to address all the issues surrounding TK, or meet all of the objectives of TK holders for their knowledge. The WIPO process is a response to concerns about the IP system and its impact on TK. Just as IP is only one of the issues or problems that make up the wider TK debate, the IP system can only provide some of the possible solutions.
Members of, and accredited observers to, the IGC have been asked to provide detailed comments on two draft documents prepared by WIPO that outline suggested principles and policy objectives for the protection of TK and TCE. The Ministry of Economic Development is preparing the New Zealand response to the documents. The Ministry therefore seeks the views of interested Māori and others to inform the preparation of the New Zealand response.
The Ministry of Economic Development hosted a workshop on WIPO IGC's draft Policy Objectives and Principles for the Protection of TK and TCE. The workshop was held on Monday 3 April 2006 at the Ministry of Economic Development, 33 Bowen Street, Wellington. The Ministry intends to use the workshop to focus the ongoing consultation with stakeholders on the principles and policy objectives. The information and resources generated by the workshop will assist with the development of the New Zealand view on the principles and policy objectives at WIPO, and guide domestic policy in this area.
We also invite you to send comments to the Ministry on the recent draft versions of the Policy Objectives and Guiding Principles for the Protection of TK and TCE. Please note that the comments are due on Friday 7 April 2006. The time frame is tight due to the dates of the next IGC meeting. It is very likely, however, that there will be further opportunities to comment on further iterations of the principles and policy objectives. Comments can be sent by email to traditional.knowledge@med.govt.nz. Please put "WIPO IGC Submissions" in the subject bar. While electronic submissions are preferred, you can send hard copies to:
WIPO IGC Submissions
Intellectual Property Policy Group
Ministry of Economic Development
PO Box 1473
WELLINGTON
For further information on the IGC process and New Zealand's involvement, links to the WIPO documents on policy objectives and principles, and how to make a submission, please refer to Have Your Say.
For information on the Ministry's domestic IP/TK work programme please refer to the Intellectual Property and Traditional Knowledge Work Programme.
For information on a range of international organisations considering IP and TK issues please refer to our Fact Sheets on International Bodies Considering Traditional Knowledge.
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