India could win 105 claims on international patents due to its Traditional Knowledge Digital Library [TKDL], Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here on Tuesday, opening the high-level segment meeting at the Conference of Parties to Convention on Biological Diversity.
'We decided to build this knowledge database because of the patent on the use of neem extract in Europe and another patent on the use of turmeric as a healing agent. Since then, because of this database, over 1,000 cases of biopiracy have been identified and over 105 claims withdrawn or cancelled by patent offices,' he said.
The treasure trove of traditional knowledge should be used for the benefit of all humankind rather than for private profit, he said. In recent years, there has been concern that this public knowledge may become restricted in its use because of the application of the modern intellectual property system, he said.
India has tried a unique approach to protect its traditional knowledge by establishing a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library [TKDL], which promoted the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol on the issue of protection of codified traditional knowledge systems such as Ayurveda, he said.
The vast database created by India has 34 million pages of information in five international languages in formats easily accessible by patent examiners, he said.
He said that the government of India would continue to work to strengthen its institutions to record this knowledge, to value its science and to provide benefits to its custodians.
Multilateral agencies like the World Intellectual Property Organisation and some countries have approached India for assistance in setting up such libraries and the government would be happy to provide assistance, he told delegates from over 190 countries attending the CoP-11 of which India assumed presidency during the ongoing convention.
India's approach to protecting and promoting biodiversity has been guided by the belief that all three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity – conservation, sustainable use and sharing of benefits from the utilisation of genetic resources – should receive adequate and equal focus, he said.
'This approach is the basis of India's Biological Diversity Act of 2002. The 2008 National Biodiversity Action Plan further identifies specific action points by various government agencies,' he said.
Despite the pressure on land, India has more than 600 protected areas, covering approximately five per cent of the total geographical area, in a network of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and conservation reserves.
'We decided to build this knowledge database because of the patent on the use of neem extract in Europe and another patent on the use of turmeric as a healing agent. Since then, because of this database, over 1,000 cases of biopiracy have been identified and over 105 claims withdrawn or cancelled by patent offices,' he said.
The treasure trove of traditional knowledge should be used for the benefit of all humankind rather than for private profit, he said. In recent years, there has been concern that this public knowledge may become restricted in its use because of the application of the modern intellectual property system, he said.
India has tried a unique approach to protect its traditional knowledge by establishing a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library [TKDL], which promoted the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol on the issue of protection of codified traditional knowledge systems such as Ayurveda, he said.
The vast database created by India has 34 million pages of information in five international languages in formats easily accessible by patent examiners, he said.
He said that the government of India would continue to work to strengthen its institutions to record this knowledge, to value its science and to provide benefits to its custodians.
Multilateral agencies like the World Intellectual Property Organisation and some countries have approached India for assistance in setting up such libraries and the government would be happy to provide assistance, he told delegates from over 190 countries attending the CoP-11 of which India assumed presidency during the ongoing convention.
India's approach to protecting and promoting biodiversity has been guided by the belief that all three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity – conservation, sustainable use and sharing of benefits from the utilisation of genetic resources – should receive adequate and equal focus, he said.
'This approach is the basis of India's Biological Diversity Act of 2002. The 2008 National Biodiversity Action Plan further identifies specific action points by various government agencies,' he said.
Despite the pressure on land, India has more than 600 protected areas, covering approximately five per cent of the total geographical area, in a network of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and conservation reserves.