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Home / Intellectual Property / Traditional Knowledge & IP

Traditional Knowledge & IP

Conventional IP was not designed for knowledge held collectively and transmitted across generations. That mismatch is where most misappropriation happens.

Our position

Documentation must be done with the holders of the knowledge, on terms they set, and it must record provenance. We support defensive documentation, geographical indications for community products, and benefit-sharing agreements under the Biological Diversity Act.

The FIRSTIP letter

A monthly note on IP practice, sustainable technology and the work of our chapters. No more than one email a month.