WIPO member states approved a historic treaty on intellectual property and genetic resources
On May 24, 2024, the Member States of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) adopted a historic treaty aimed at protecting intellectual property associated with genetic resources and traditional knowledge. This treaty will come into force after being ratified by at least 15 States.
Although genetic resources found in medicinal plants, agricultural crops, and animal breeds cannot be directly protected, they enable the development of inventions that can be patented. These resources are closely linked to traditional knowledge, used in scientific research that significantly contributes to the advancement of new inventions.
The new treaty introduces a fundamental disclosure requirement: inventors must specify the country of origin and, when relevant, the indigenous communities that provided the knowledge. This mechanism seeks to strengthen transparency and ensure compliance with the conditions for access and participation in resulting benefits.
The adoption of this treaty reaffirms the global commitment to justice, transparency, and respect for the ancestral knowledge of indigenous peoples, thus marking a crucial step towards a future where innovation and tradition can coexist and mutually benefit.
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