Access and benefit sharing, genetic resources and traditional knowledge
ICC actively contributes to discussions on the links between intellectual property, genetic resources and traditional knowledge in several forums, including the Convention on Biological Diversity, the World Intellectual Property Organization and the World Trade Organization.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): Access and benefit sharing (ABS)
The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (the Protocol) was concluded in October 2010 under the auspices of the CBD after many years of negotiations. This provides an international framework for establishing national regimes on ABS.
ICC played an active role coordinating business participation in the negotiations and continues to coordinate business input in the process of national implementation of the Protocol.
Traditional knowledge
ICC participates in the discussions in WIPO’s Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) on the protection of traditional knowledge (TK) and genetic resources.
Patent disclosure requirements relating to genetic resources
ICC closely follows discussions on patent disclosure requirements relating to genetic resources in various forums, including the CBD, WIPO and the WTO.