Consequences of Intellectual Property Rights on Biological Materials as Enforced by WTO/TRIPS on Farmer Seed Systems in Developing Countries

Feb 1, 2002 - Dec 31, 2004

Project description

To carry out the project, a legal analysis was conducted covering the Convention on Biological Diversity, The Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources, the UPOV Convention and the TRIPS Agreement. Combined with visits to relevant international organizations, this resulted in a report describing how the recognition of patents on biological materials may negatively affect traditional farmer seed systems. The report also indicated possible ways of harmonizing farmer seed systems with the applicable provisions of public international law.

Topic

International Trade Law

Objective

Mapping how the recognition of patents on biological materials may negatively affect traditional farmer seed systems as existing in developing countries.