Documentation of traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs)

Documentation of traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs) has attracted increasing attention in recent years from governments and cultural institutions as well as from indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs), in parallel with the growing recognition of the cultural and economic value of TK and TCEs. New information […]

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Intellectual Property, Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions / Folklore: a Guide for Countries in Transition

This guide aims to help countries in transition decide whether and how best to protect traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs) held by indigenous peoples and local communities. It describes the intellectual property (IP) concepts involved in protecting TK and TCEs and outlines existing international, regional and national […]

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Traditional Knowledge and Indigenous Peoples

Traditional knowledge is an important element of the intellectual and cultural heritage of indigenous peoples. It reflects their social and historical identity and significantly contributes to the future well-being and sustainable development of these peoples. In 2007, the L’auravetl’an Information & Education Network of Indigenous Peoples (LIENIP) organized a series […]

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Digitizing Traditional Culture: WIPO Training Program for Indigenous Communities

Indigenous cultures the world round have seen their ritual ceremonies, music, symbols and creative arts imitated, reworked, copied and sold without acknowledgement or authorization, and often without respect for their cultural and religious significance. Many communities feel that enough is enough. They are now actively exploring how best to protect […]

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Intellectual Property Needs and Expectations of Traditional Knowledge Holders

This Report presents information compiled by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) from nine fact-finding missions conducted by WIPO in 1998 and 1999 on the intellectual property (IP) needs and expectations of holders of traditional knowledge (TK). The fact-finding missions (the FFMs) were designed to enable WIPO to identify, as […]

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Indigenous Knowledge and Intellectual Property Rights

Wend Wendland, World Intellectual Property Organization, delves into the issues of traditional knowledge, looking at where the rights lie, and the treaties emerging to protect them.

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WIPO Traditional Knowledge Documentation Toolkit

A wide range of tools and proposals have been developed over the past decade or so to protect traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs) (including using classical IP systems, developing sui generis legislation, applying defensive protection instruments, among others). Special attention has been given to documentation and the […]

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World Intellectual Property Organization: Traditional Knowledge

The term “traditional knowledge” is used here as shorthand for the entire field of traditional knowledge, genetic resources and traditional cultural expressions. Negotiations are currently underway in the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore towards the development of an international legal instrument or […]

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Traditional Cultural Expressions – Existing Codes, Guidelines and Practices

Traditional cultural expressions (TCEs), also called “expressions of folklore”, may include music, dance, art, designs, names, signs and symbols, performances, ceremonies, architectural forms, handicrafts and narratives, or many other artistic or cultural expressions. Traditional cultural expressions: May be considered as the forms in which traditional culture is expressed; Form part […]

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