Syllabus of 2003 course by Prof. S. Bhatti:
“IPRs and Genetic Resource Policy”

 

“Legal Protection of Traditional Knowledge and
Significance of IPRs for Biotechnology”

 

(Elective course – 1 credit)

May 24 to 28, 2004

by

Prof. Shakeel Bhatti

 

Center for Intellectual Property Research and Advocacy

National Law School of India University

Bangalore,  India

 

 

 

 

Announcement

 

This course is designed as an introductory course on traditional knowledge and certain IPR aspects of biotechnology in preparation for a seminar course, “Intellectual Property Issues in Biotechnology, Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge,” which will be taught in the Summer Trimester.   

 

 

 

Course Synopsis:

 

This course will introduce students to the legal protection of traditional knowledge (TK) and related IP aspects of biotechnology.  Working with real cases (neem, turmeric, basmati, ayuhasca, enola bean, etc) the first course segment will examine the defensive and positive protection of TK.  This segment will begin with a review of the current status of TK at public international law and in ongoing international negotiations and processes (CBD, FAO, WIPO, WTO).  It will then compare existing national TK legislation and the experiences of TK holders and governments in using and implementing these laws.  Based on this comparative analysis, we will draw lessons for the appropriate design of national sui generis laws and policy measures for TK protection, focusing on 12 key elements of sui generis protection. 

 

The second segment of the course will offer a preparatory introduction into IPRs and biotechnology.  It will introduce students to the branches of IP law relevant for protection of biotechnological inventions and review the main international legal instruments relevant in this field (Paris Convention, UPOV Convention, Budapest Treaty, PCT, TRIPS Agreement).  Based on students’ interest and time allowing, this segment will already identify the specialized IPR/biotechnology issues that will form the focus of the Seminar Course.

 

 

Course Objectives

The objective of the course is to give students:  (1) an in-depth understanding of the IPR issues that arise in the protection of traditional knowledge, (2) an initial sense to IP aspects of biotechnology,  (3) a grounding for the seminar course on “IPRs and Biotechnology, Genetic Resources and  TK,” which will be thaught in the summer.  

 

Evaluation

The evaluation of student performance in this course will be based on written assignments, which will be given to groups or to individuals.  Guidelines concerning due dates, length and structure of the written assignments will be specified during the course.

 

 

Course Sessions

 

Monday, May 24, 2004:

Course objectives, background, overview, conceptual framework, areas of focus

 

Topics covered:

Objectives of the course -  Conceptual Framework for the Course  -  Overview and structure of the Course  -  Importance and value of TK: examples of environmental, economic, cultural, educational and spiritual values -  Types of TK  -  Terminology in discussions about TK  -  Defensive and positive TK protection  -  Linkages with Genetic Resources and Biotechnology  -  Role of IPRs in relation to TK and biotechnology  -  Conceptual Framework on IPRs, TK and biotechnology

 

 

Mandatory Reading

 

 
  1. WIPO.  Fact-finding Mission Report on Intellectual Property and Traditional Knowledge.  2000

 

click here

P. 207-242 (Part III);   p. 101-114 (FFM to South Asia)
  1. WIPO/GRTKF/IC/5/8  -  “Composite Study on the Protection of Traditional Knowledge”  (WIPO Intergovernmental Committee – fifth session)

 

click here

Full text
  1.  International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI).  Farmers, Landraces and Property Rights.  World Trade Institute, 2003.

 

click here

Full text

 

 

 

 

Recommended Reading

 

 

 

 

  1. India Case Study  -  WIPO/UNEP Study on the Role of IPRs in the Sharing of Benefits Arising from the Use of

click here 

Case Study 2, “India”

 

 

 

Tuesday, May 25, 2004:

Status of TK at Public International Law and Review of National Sui Generis Legislation

 

Topics covered:

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)  - UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)  -  Internatinal Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR-FAO)  -   Alma Ata Declaration and Traditional Medicine at the World Health Organization (WHO)   -   Convention ILO 169   -  

 

Reading:

 

Mandatory Reading

 

 
  1.  Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

click here

Preamble, Art.1-4, 8, 10, 15-19

 
  1. The Bonn Guidelines on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from  the Utilization

  (part of Decision VI/24 of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD)

click here

Provisions on TK and PIC

 
  1. International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (2001) (ITPGR)

click here

 

Preamble, Part III

 
  1.  UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

click here

Preamble, Art. 5,  17, 18, 19

 

 

 

Recommended Reading

 

 
  1. “Plan of Implementation” of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD)

click here

Paragraph 42, in particular 42(o)
  1. The International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources (1983) (“IU”)

click here

Full text

 

 

 

Wednesday, May 26, 2004:

Sui generis protection:  Comparative Analysis of National Laws and Synthesis

 

Topics covered:

12 key elements of sui generis protection of TK  -  Review of the 12 elements in the sui generis laws and measures of:African Union - Brazil - China - Costa Rica - India – Peru – Philippines -  Portugal – Thailand - United States  -   Synthesis of each element for the design of appropriate TK legislation;

 

Reading:

 

Mandatory Reading

 

 
  1. WIPO/GRTKF/IC/4/8 - “ELEMENTS OF A SUI GENERIS SYSTEM FOR THE PROTECTION OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE”

 

click here

Paragraphs 52-78 (‘Elements of a sui generis system’)
  1. WIPO/GRTKF/IC/6/4 - “Traditional Knowledge Protection – Legal and Policy Options”

click here

Full document
  1. WIPO/GRTKF/IC/5/INF/4  -  “COMPARATIVE SUMMARY OF EXISTING NATIONAL SUI GENERIS MEASURES AND LAWS FOR THE PROTECTION OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE”

 

click here

Review the full text  -  this will be the main working document in class
  1. Peru:  Law No. 27,811 of 2002 Introducing a Protection Regime for the Collective Knowledge of Indigenous Peoples Derived from Biological Resources

 

click here

Articles I – XI

 

 

 

 

Thursday, May 27, 2004:

Broadening TK protection:   unfair competition;  access & benefit-sharing;  compensatory liability;  customary law

 

Topics covered:

4 additional approaches to TK protection:  Approach 1:  Unfair Competition:  (a) International standards:  Paris Convention and TRIPS;  (b) the doctrine of misappropriation;  Approach 2:  access and benefit-sharing:  (a) international standards:  CBD, Bonn Guidelines and ITPGR;  (b)  national implementation:  African Union, Brazil, Costa Rica, India, Peru, Philippines, Portugal;  (c)  application to TK;  Approach 3:  compensatory liability rules:  (a) doctrine & theory;  (b) the Peruvian example;  (c) application to TK;  (d) international dimensions;  Approach 4:  customary laws and protocols;  The International Dimension:  (a)  Reciprocity;  (b) National Treatment under Paris and TRIPS;  (c) Most Favoured Nations Treatment (TRIPS)

 

 

Mandatory Reading

 

 
  1.  Paris Convention on the Protection of Industrial Property (1979)

click here

Art.1, 2, 3, 10bis,

  1. Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) (1994)

click here

Preamble, Part I; Article 39;

3.      Reichman, J.  CHARTING THE COLLAPSE OF THE PATENT-COPYRIGHT DICHOTOMY  (1991)  75 Minn. L. Rev. 875

 

Download from Lexis/Nexis

Full text, Figure 1, 2, 3, 4
  1. Reichman, J.  REPACKAGING RIGHTS IN SUBPATENTABLE INNOVATION:  THE GREEN TULIP  53 Vand. L. Rev. 1742

Click here

Full text
  1. Raskind.  “Misappropriation as a Norm in Intellectual Property Law” (1991) 75 Minn. L. Rev. 875 

click here

Full text
  1. Reichman, J. “Using Liability Rules to Stimulate Local Innovations in Developing Countries” 

Click here

Full text
  1. Uniform Trade Secrets Act  of the USA

Click here

 

 

Recommended Reading

 

 
  1. WIPO.  The Repression of Unfair Competition.  WIPO publication no.

Pls check with Prof. Bhatti

Full text
  1. WIPO.  Model Provisions on Unfair Competition.  WIPO publication no.  

Pls check with Prof. Bhatti

Full text

 

 

Friday, May28 , 2004:

IPR Aspects of Biotechnology

 

Topics covered:

Background 1:  Historical development of modern biotechnology  -  Background 2: Role of IPRs in biotechnology  -  Background 3:  Pre-grant and post-grant patent issues in the field of biotechnology  -  Sectorial distinctions:  biomedicine, agrobiotechnology, industrial biotech  -   Seven key policy issues in IPRs and biotechnology  -  Objectives and Overview of Seminar Course on IPR and Biotech in Summer Trimester

 Mandatory Reading

 

 
  1. Barton, John H.  “Intellectual Property, Biotechnology, and International Trade”  World Trade Forum, Geneva, April 2000

 

click here

Entire text
  1. WIPO/WG/BIOT/99/1 - “Issues for Proposed WIPO Work Programme on Biotechnology”  (WIPO Working Group on Biotechnology 1999)

click here

Paragraphs 9-67
  1. WIPO/GRTKF/IC/1/3 - “Matters Concerning Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore”  (WIPO Intergovernmental Committee – first session)

click here

 
  1. Module 2 on “IPRs and Biotechnology” of the APEC Handbook on IP and Biotechnology

click here

Module2 (IP & Biotechnology)

 

 

Evening Friday, May28 , 2004:

Consolidation and Conclusion 

 

Topics covered:

Review and summary of course contents – clarification of pending questions  - assignments and student evaluation – course evaluation.

 

 

 

Student Resources:

 

Sui Generis Laws and Measures for Traditional Knowledge Protection

 

 

Country/Regional Integration Organization

Copy

 

AFRICAN UNION  -

 

 

 

ASEAN -

 

 

 

BRAZIL -

 

 

COSTA RICA -

 

 

Cook Islands

 

INDIA -

 

PORTUGAL -