WIPO interview: Protecting traditional knowledge

In June, the World Intellectual Property Organization held a two-day seminar on protecting traditional knowledge. WIPR spoke to Wend Wendland, director of the traditional knowledge division at WIPO, to find out more.

What was the seminar about?

The seminar concerned WIPO’s work to protect indigenous knowledge and genetic resources. The issue is that sometimes a plant, medicinal knowledge or traditional music may be used commercially without the community of its origin agreeing and sharing the benefits.

If countries can agree on an outcome in this complex area, it could enable, for the first time, indigenous peoples to control and benefit from their knowledge systems and resources internationally.