SAARC WORKSHOP ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

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Intellectual Property, Traditional Knowledge and Genetic Resources is an important subject and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), through its Inter-Governmental Committee, has been engaged in Intensive discussion on various aspects relating to both the policy as well as appropriate documentation to safeguard the interests of holders of such indigenous knowledge. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region is itself abounding in traditional knowledge of various varieties which also impinges on aspects of bio-technology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, patenting, etc. In view of the importance of the subject, SAARC region has been holding various annual consultations/meetings among themselves in order to suggest various pathways. Last such meeting was held in Thimpu (Bhutan) in October, 2002 and pursuant to a recommendation made by the SAARC Forum for Intellectual Property among Member States of SAARC, India is holding an Expert Workshop on Intellectual Property, Traditional knowledge and Genetic Resources, in collaboration with WIPO, on November 17-18, 2003 at Hotel Taj Mahal, No.1, Mansingh Raod, New Delhi.

The objective of the workshop will be to develop principles and practical guidelines, including technical standards, for the documentation and protection of traditional knowledge and associated genetic resources.

The meeting will be organised in a number of sessions and will address legal, technical and policy developments relating to the objective of the Workshop. In addition to the sessions, there will be two working groups dealing on a practical level with specific issues on the documentation and inventorisation of the traditional knowledge and genetic resources.