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The Journey to the WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge: Policy, Process and People

New Arrival The Journey to the WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge: Policy, Process and People

The Journey to the WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge: Policy, Process and People

Author: Wend Wendland
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
ISBN: 9781049414775

Published In: May 2026
Format: Paperback
Jurisdiction: U.K. ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only
Hardback Edition ISBN: 9781035325139

List Price: HKD 325.00

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Description
Contents

Details

This book recounts the colourful and eventful journey to the landmark WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, from the proposal for a new patent disclosure requirement in 1999 to the adoption of the Treaty 25 years later. Offering a first-person account from his unique position as having been a Director at WIPO and responsible for the negotiations for many years, Wend Wendland analyzes the Treaty and its negotiating history, lifting the curtain on how, against the odds, its adoption by consensus was achieved.

The book highlights the key individuals involved in the process and provides detailed insight into the negotiations methodology. It underlines the importance of the changes within the patent system made by the Treaty to combat biopiracy and reflects on the historic influence of developing countries and Indigenous Peoples advocating for decades for these protections for their traditional knowledge and genetic resources, and how this led eventually to the Treaty’s adoption. Finally, the book looks ahead to consider the expectations surrounding the coming into force of the Treaty and assesses if and how it will achieve its objectives.

Patent office officials, IP negotiators and policymakers, IP counsel, and governmental relations executives will benefit from this book’s crucial insights. It is also a unique resource for Indigenous Peoples organizations, as well as the staff of intergovernmental organizations and scholars and students of multilateral negotiations, intellectual property law, environmental law and public international law.

Foreword

What the treaty (and this book) are about

The genesis of the treaty: origins and context

A draft treaty emerges: the WIPO IGC’S negotiations

A diplomatic conference is convened and preparations begin

The diplomatic conference

The treaty: what it says and what it means

Future prospects and next steps

WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge