WIPO Traditional Knowledge

Preserving heritage 😊, sustaining livelihoods 👪🏽

Meet Judith, a woman entrepreneur from Eastern Uganda who grew up learning agriculture and herbal medicine from her grandmother – knowledge she is committed to passing down to future generations.

As chairperson of the Jinja Women Agribusiness Cooperative, Judith works with over 120 women to keep traditional production techniques alive and diversify income opportunities for their community.

With support from Funds-in-Trust Japan Industrial Property Global and WIPO, the Cooperative recently acquired new equipment to boost production and is now working to register a collective mark to protect and promote their products.

Judith’s story shows how communities can strengthen their cultural heritage and build new economic opportunities when they have access to the resources and recognition they need.

📷 Micheal Balyeku

Great news: Albania 🇦🇱 has joined the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge.

The Treaty addresses the interface between intellectual property, genetic resources, and traditional knowledge. It is also the first WIPO Treaty to include specific provisions for Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

By requiring patent applicants to disclose the origin or source of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, the Treaty aims to improve the quality of the patent system and prevent erroneous grant of patents for inventions that are not novel or inventive with regard to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.

With Albania’s accession, the Treaty now has three members. It will enter into force once 15 countries have joined.

Learn more about the Treaty and its significance: https://ow.ly/QCHf50WnCvK.

What is sacred traditional knowledge?

Sacred traditional knowledge refers to knowledge that holds deep spiritual or religious meaning for a community. It may include ceremonies, prayers, chants, sacred objects and symbols, as well as particular plants, animals, or places.

What makes knowledge sacred is not defined from the outside. It is determined by the community itself, according to its beliefs and values. For this reason, sacred knowledge is often shared carefully and with responsibility.

Understanding key terms like this helps ensure that traditional knowledge is respected and valued in ways that honor community perspectives.

Learn more in WIPO’s glossary:
https://shorturl.at/tovKm