MEETING REPORT Meeting: 11th Session of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) details the proceedings of the 11th session of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) held in July 2007. The meeting focused on the protection of Traditional Knowledge (TK) and Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCEs), resulting in a recommendation to renew the IGC mandate for two years without a definitive agreement on a binding legal instrument.

• The 11th session of the IGC revealed a sharp divide between developed and developing countries regarding the protection of traditional knowledge. Developing countries and indigenous groups unanimously advocated for a binding legal instrument. In contrast, the United States and Japan argued that it was too early for substantive discussions, with Japan stating it saw no need to provide intellectual property protection for traditional knowledge.
• While developing countries and indigenous groups generally aligned on the scope and application of protection for traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions, significant differences remain regarding the full recognition of customary law and the sovereignty of indigenous peoples over these assets.
• The Committee recommended that the WIPO General Assembly renew the IGC mandate for an additional two years under the same conditions as the 2005 mandate. This includes focusing on the international dimension of the issues and excluding no outcome, including the potential development of an international instrument. However, efforts by developing countries to include language requiring the committee to converge on a specific outcome failed.
• Although genetic resources were included on the meeting's agenda, they were not discussed during the session. The Secretariat was instead directed to provide a further update on international developments regarding genetic resources based on document 11/8(b).

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (2007). MEETING REPORT Meeting: 11th Session of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/WIPO_Report_1Aug07.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. MEETING REPORT Meeting: 11th Session of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore. 2007. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/WIPO_Report_1Aug07.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=MEETING REPORT Meeting: 11th Session of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore |date=2007 |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/WIPO_Report_1Aug07.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallaw2007meeting, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{MEETING REPORT Meeting: 11th Session of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, year = {2007}, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/WIPO_Report_1Aug07.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }