Seventh Session, Geneva, 1-5 November 2004

The seventh session of the World Intellectual Property Organisation ("WIPO") Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore ("the IGC") took place in Geneva on 1-5 November 2004.

The IGC is an international policy forum to discuss intellectual property issues as they arise in relation to the protection of traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions (sometimes termed folklore) and access to genetic resources and benefit sharing.

The IGC has met 6 times since 2001. The work of the committee to date has included:

policy debate,
reports on national experiences,
empirical surveys,
exchange of experience of indigenous and local communities,
analysis of legal and policy options for enhanced protection of traditional knowledge,
crafting specific practical tools,
development of recommendations for revision of the international patent system to take account of traditional knowledge, and
capacity building and awareness initiatives.

At seventh session in November the IGC:

considered a range of objectives and principles for the protection of Traditional Knowledge, and also a number of potential policy options and legal mechanisms to give effect to those objectives and principles;
continued its work in relation to the recognition of traditional knowledge in the examination of patent applications;
furthered the development of guidelines on the intellectual property aspects of agreements concerning access to genetic resources and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of such resources; and
discussed the participation of indigenous and local communities in the IGC's work, including the issue of funding for these groups.

A number of useful papers [link to WIPO website] were prepared by the Secretariat to the IGC that aided consideration of these issues.

Copies of papers and reports from previous meetings [link to WIPO website] are also available on the WIPO site, along with a selection of interesting resources. The site also provides information on how to become a non-governmental accredited observer [link to WIPO website].

If you have any queries about the IGC or New Zealand's participation in this forum please contact Kim Connolly-Stone at the Ministry of Economic Development: traditional.knowledge@med.govt.nz or phone 04-474 2751.