Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) empower innovators and creators to
safeguard their work, supporting the preservation of traditional lifestyles. However,
indigenous knowledge holders often face significant barriers to accessing the legal
system. This disparity stems from traditional health systems, which utilize indigenous
knowledge and protection mechanisms, being incompatible with standardized
commercial systems in developed capitalist countries. This chapter examines legal
issues surrounding the protection of indigenous plants and proposes strategic
partnerships between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Trade
Organization (WTO), with organizations like the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Group
(under the Convention on Biodiversity) and World Conservation Union/Species
Survival Commission. Furthermore, integrating the Traditional Knowledge Digital
Library with the International Patent System through an International Traditional
Knowledge Resource Classification System can be instrumental in preserving
traditional and indigenous lifestyles.
Keywords: Biodiversity, Indigenous, Intellectual property rights, International patent system.
