Protection of Traditional Knowledge Under International Human Rights

Abstract

Intellectual property refers to creation of mind, the effect of IPRS is therefore monopoly over commercial exploitation of the idea, for a certain period, while IPRs such as Copyrights, Patents, and Trademarks are centuries old, the extension of IPRS to living being and knowledge related to them is relatively recent. Traditional knowledge widely knows as valuable attributes of biological diversity and is one of the most important sources of sustainable development is most of the developing countries. Traditional knowledge is associated with many areas such as agricultural, medicine, folklore, food, arts and architecture, music, dance etc., when biological resources are main components utilized. This knowledge has been used for centuries by indigenous and local communities under local laws, customs and traditions.