WIPO IGC
Statement by the South Centre to the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge
South Centre is participating in the textual based negotiations in WIPO on the protection of traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions this week at IGC50 chaired by DPR of Brazil, Erika Watanabe Patriota. International rules are needed to protect the interests of indigenous and local communities and prevent misappropriation.
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South Centre Workshop with Like-Minded Countries on the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions
Date: 11th – 14th February, 2025
Location: Varembé Conference Centre, Geneva
Time: 1-3 pm
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Statement in Support of Discussions on Counterfeiting in the Biotechnology Sector and the Prevention of Biopiracy
WIPO Advisory Committee on Enforcement (ACE)
Today at the 17th Session of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Advisory Committee on Enforcement (ACE), the South Centre delivered its statement, emphasizing the need to prevent biopiracy while addressing counterfeiting in the biotechnology sector. A balanced IP enforcement approach is key to protecting biodiversity & traditional knowledge.
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South Centre Statement to the 49th WIPO IGC Session
2 December 2024
We support the work by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) to contribute to a more inclusive and just international intellectual property system and sustainable development.
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A Breakthrough in Negotiations on Intellectual Property, Protection of Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge in WIPO?
By Dr. Viviana Muñoz Tellez
This Policy Brief provides a brief summary of the current negotiations in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) for an international legal instrument or instruments relating to intellectual property to ensure the balanced and effective protection of genetic resources (GRs), associated traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs). The General Assembly in June 2022 took a significant decision to schedule a Diplomatic Conference in 2024 to conclude a treaty on the protection of GRs and associated TK. However broader protection for TK and TCEs is not part of the decision. The 44th session of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC), held on 12–16 September 2022, focused on advancing text-based negotiations on these issues and two more sessions will follow. Developing countries must coordinate closely, in parallel to the IGC sessions, to agree on a common negotiating position for the treaty to be concluded no later than in 2024.
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