Growing evidence shows that shared and widely disseminated traditional knowledge is the existing norm rather than the exception, in the context of indigenous peoples culture and livelihoods. However, existing instruments - including current discussions on traditional Knowledge protection under the aegis of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) - recognize that the issue of shared traditional knowledge among communities and across national borders, remains an area for which policy and legal solutions are still to be devised. Against this background, this dialogue will present the findings of a draft study commissioned by ICTSD entitled: Shared and Widely Distributed Traditional Knowledge: Issues, Challenges and Options. The author, Manuel Ruiz Muller, examines the different aspects and complexities raised by this important issue and suggests a number of options on how to address it in the context of the IGC’s ongoing work. Comments by discussants and participants at the dialogue will be feed into the process of finalizing the study.
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