WIPO Approves New Treaty to Protect Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge in Patents

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) approved on Friday a new international treaty to highlight the disclosure of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge in patent applications, UN News reported.

Under the new treaty, patent applicants will be required to disclose the origin of any genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge used in their inventions.

This is seen as a crucial step in safeguarding the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities.

The WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge is intended to prevent patents from being granted for inventions that are not novel or inventive with regards to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.