Category Biodiversity/Genetic Resources/Biotech

WIPO Traditional Knowledge: Text Passes Committee Approval, Goes To Next Session

World Intellectual Property Organization delegates today agreed on a text compiling divergent views on how traditional knowledge should be protected in the intellectual property system to be forwarded to the next session of its committee on the protection of traditional knowledge. Some clear dividing lines remain, such as traditional knowledge which is widely known and could have been placed in the public domain, or if conditions of eligibility should be part of a potential treaty.

Catherine Saez
September 23, 2016
2 Comments

Shared Experiences Of Indigenous Peoples In The WIPO Negotiating Process

Members of indigenous communities this week shared their experiences in negotiating for their rights at the World Intellectual Property Organization and gave their advice on negotiations for potential treaties on genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore.

Alexandra Nightingale
September 22, 2016

Nagoya Protocol Gains Members, Implications Spread Ripples

The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) announced early this month that five new countries ratified its protocol on access and benefit sharing of genetic resources, bringing membership to 85 countries.

Catherine Saez
September 22, 2016

Switzerland Champions Disclosure Requirement In Patents, Counters US Interpretation

The government of Switzerland has issued a defence of its national law on disclosure of origin of genetic resources in patent applications, finding fault with the interpretation of its law by the United States. The Swiss response comes on the eve of a World Intellectual Property Organization meeting on related issues.

Catherine Saez
September 15, 2016
1 Comment

WHO Experts Seek To Have Its Flu Framework Recognised Under Nagoya Protocol

Will an international instrument protecting genetic resources get in the way of the world’s preparedness to fend off the next influenza pandemic? This is one of the questions left open for a group of experts reviewing the World Health Organization Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework. Meanwhile, one stakeholder is claiming to have been denied full and fair participation.

Catherine Saez
September 2, 2016
2 Comments

Access And Benefit Sharing Mentioned In US Patent For Natural Dye, Might Be A First

A recent patent granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office to a Colombian company stated where the genetic resource of the invention was taken from and described the access and benefit-sharing agreement made with indigenous communities. This might be the first time that such a statement appears in a US patent, according to a source.

Catherine Saez
September 1, 2016
2 Comments

WHO Debates Expansion Of Role In Virus-Sharing

The global treatment of influenza is under reconsideration at the World Health Organization this week, as a review group of a WHO influenza pandemic framework looks at issues such as its relationship with an international treaty protecting countries’ ownership biological resources.

Catherine Saez
August 31, 2016
4 Comments

WHO Pandemic Flu Review Group Meets Next Week

The review of a World Health Organization mechanism for sharing pandemic influenza viruses while ensuring access to vaccines for developing countries is nearing conclusion. Next week, the reviewers will hold their last meeting, including an open session for governments and stakeholders to share views. The review is addressing issues such as the mechanism’s relationship with other international rules, and how to handle the rising use of genetic data instead of biological samples.

Catherine Saez
August 24, 2016
2 Comments

New French Law Opens Market For Non-Profits Selling Public Domain Seeds

New legislation on biodiversity has been adopted by the French National Assembly, opening doors for the sharing and selling of seeds in the public domain to amateur gardeners. For some associations that had been illegally trading public domain seeds, this is seen as a major victory.

Free Trade Agreements Threaten Farmers’ Rights, Food Security, Group Says

Small farmers around the world are threatened by new free trade agreements, a civil society group has argued. Those agreements go beyond the requirements of agreed international intellectual property rules and jeopardise the ability of small farmers to save, produce, and exchange seeds, the group said.

French Bill Could Open Door For Sharing, Selling Of Seeds In Public Domain

Next week, the French Senate is due to consider a bill on biodiversity for the third time. That bill, which could be modifying several legislations, might allow for the sharing and selling by non-governmental organisations of seeds in the public domain to non-commercial buyers, which is so far not permitted under the current French legislation, according to sources.

New Book: Ways To Address CBD, Nagoya Protocol Hurdles For Public Research

A new book provides ways for public research to avoid legal battles over genetic resources in the fields of agriculture, biomedicine, environmental management and microbiology by making best use of an international protocol on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing.