Search the Internet          Tips  Sites: Finance, Investment

India seeks protection to IPR, genetic resources

India on Monday called for formulation of a legal framework at the international level to protect Intellectual Property Rights in areas, which have so far remained outside the conventional systems, to prevent bio-piracy of traditional knowledge from the country.

Inaugurating a three-day International Seminar on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore under the Geneva-based World Intellectual Property Organisation in Kochi, Union human resources development secretary S K Tripathi said there had been several cases of bio-piracy of traditional knowledge from India under the cover of the TRIPs (Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights) agreement, facilitating exploitation of biodiversity and knowledge.

India being one of the twelve mega biodiversity countries of the world and one of the twelve primary centres of origin of cultivated plants, rich in traditional and indigenous knowledge, had recently amended its patent laws, incorporating provisions for mandatory disclosure of source and geographical origin of biological materials used in the invention while applying for patents.

To protect traditional knowledge from being patented, provisions had also been incorporated in the law to include anticipation of invention by available local knowledge as one of the grounds for opposition as also for revocation of patent.

A parliamentary legislation was also being enacted shortly to address the basic concerns of access to, collection and utilisation of biological resources and knowledge by foreigners and sharing of benefits arising out of such access, Tripathi said.

The main intent of this legislation was to protect India's biodiversity and associated knowledge against their use by individuals and organisations without sharing the benefits arising out of this and also to check bio-piracy, he added.

Organised jointly by WIPO, the Union ministry of human resource development and the Cochin University of Science and Technology, the three-day seminar being attended by delegates from nearly 20 countries would discuss various matters relating to documentation of traditional knowledge, alternatives for resolving disputes related intellectual property and protection of traditional knowledge, among other things.

UNI

Powered by

ALSO READ:
Monetary & Credit Policy 2002-2003
More Money Headlines