Abstract:

Established in 2000, the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) is currently undertaking text-based negotiations with the objective of finalizing an agreement on one or more international legal instruments that would ensure the balanced and effective protection of genetic resources, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions (the terms “traditional cultural expressions” and “expressions of folklore” are used interchangeably in WIPO discussions). Such an instrument or instruments could range from a recommendation to WIPO members to a formal treaty that would legally bind countries choosing to ratify it.