Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority (EIPA) announced Ethiopia’s commitment to safeguarding its genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. This comes after signing the Final Act of a new treaty with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) on May 24, 2024.
The treaty, adopted unanimously by WIPO member states, marks a step forward in protecting these valuable resources. EIPA’s Director General, Woldu Yemessel, who signed the Final Act, emphasized Ethiopia’s vision for a future where both genetic resources and the traditional knowledge surrounding them are secured.
Negotiations for this Treaty began at WIPO in 2001, initiated in 1999 with a proposal by Colombia, where discussions were notable for their inclusion of Indigenous Peoples as well as local communities.
WIPO Director General Daren Tang welcomed the adoption of the Treaty and congratulated negotiators on the successful outcome of the Diplomatic Conference, noting: “Today we made history in many ways. This is not just the first new WIPO Treaty in over a decade but also the first one that deals with genetic resources and traditional knowledge held by Indigenous Peoples as well as local communities. Through this, we are showing that the IP system can continue to incentivize innovation while evolving more inclusively, responding to the needs of all countries and their communities.”
This is the first WIPO Treaty to address the interface between intellectual property, genetic resources, and traditional knowledge and the first WIPO Treaty to include provisions specifically for Indigenous Peoples as well as local communities. The agreement implements specific measures to prevent illegal activity in this area. It requires patent applicants to disclose if their inventions are based on genetic resources and related traditional knowledge. This transparency aims to increase the efficiency, transparency, and overall quality of the patent system.
The Treaty, once it enters into force with 15 contracting parties, will establish in international law a new disclosure requirement for patent applicants whose inventions are based on genetic resources and/or associated traditional knowledge. A signing ceremony is scheduled for later today.
Source: The Ethiopian Herald and WIPO
