Abstract:

This guide outlines the intellectual property system and some key concepts; introduces the main categories of intellectual property and explains how each category may be relevant to the particular needs of indigenous peoples and local communities; and gives lot of examples of how different indigenous peoples and local communities around the world are using intellectual property successfully, whether to promote their own culture and creations or to prevent misappropriation. The aim of the guide is to encourage and empower indigenous peoples and local communities to use intellectual property strategically, in line with your specific business, cultural and/or developmental needs. The main text is deliberately quite short and general, but there are notes and references to further reading so that you can learn more about the particular issues that interest you. Most of the reading references are to other publications from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) which are available free of charge online.