KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- The country’s rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge need to be protected through a transparent and robust patent system, particularly in relation to genetic resources with research value and commercial potential.
Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia (MyIPO) director-general Yusnieza Syarmila Yusoff said such an approach was important to minimise the risk of inappropriate patent grants, while protecting genetic resources and communities’ traditional knowledge from commercial exploitation without due recognition.
“Local plants such as ‘tongkat ali’ and ‘kacip fatimah’ are examples of genetic resources with research value and commercial potential that are closely associated with the traditional knowledge of local communities.
“Therefore, the resources and knowledge used in developing an invention need to be properly identified and duly recognised,” she said in a statement today.
She said that under the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, patent applicants for inventions based on genetic resources were required to disclose the country of origin or source of the material.
She added that applicants were also required to disclose the Orang Asal or local community that was the source of the associated traditional knowledge, to ensure that the genetic resources and traditional knowledge were accessed lawfully.
“The WIPO GRATK Treaty was adopted by consensus by WIPO member states on May 24, 2024, following 25 years of negotiations, and is the first WIPO treaty to explicitly recognise the role and contributions of Orang Asal and local communities in the intellectual property system.
“This development calls for a comprehensive understanding among policymakers, patent administrators, researchers, industry players and stakeholders involved in the management of biodiversity and traditional knowledge,” she said.
Yusnieza Syarmila said MyIPO would continue to step up engagement and capacity-building efforts with ministries, agencies, state governments, research institutions, industry, Orang Asal and local communities to ensure a comprehensive understanding of developments relating to the treaty and safeguard the country’s interests.
Earlier, MyIPO organised the national seminar on the WIPO Treaty on Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge at Menara MyIPO, Petaling Jaya, to enhance understanding and strengthen the country’s capacity to address new developments in protecting genetic resources associated with traditional knowledge, particularly through the international patent system.
The seminar brought together experts from WIPO, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) India, as well as representatives from federal and state agencies to discuss the protection of traditional knowledge and genetic resources, access and benefit-sharing frameworks, and best practices in managing the country’s biodiversity resources.
-- BERNAMA