Community Resources Intellectual Property, International Trade and Protection of Traditional Knowledge

Protection of traditional knowledge and resources is of critical concern not only to the groups involved but also to the international trading community for which these resources are of increasing economic importance. This work examines the concept of 'community', intellectual property models and additional sources for protection at international law (including environmental and human rights frameworks). Intellectual property law is critiqued as an inadequate framework to address the fundamental object of protection for the communities themselves - the management of traditional use, as well as the biological and cultural sustainability of this use. The work sets out an international framework based on the concept of 'community resources', recognizing the unique claims embodied in traditional knowledge, incorporating customary law, and facilitating community management of resources. International in perspective and scope, the book will be a valuable resource for academics and researchers in law, international relations and cultural studies.

Contents: Introduction: Community resources: coming to terms; Community, resources, resilience; The grand plan - intellectual property and the interpretation of knowledge; Intellectual property and other objects of protection; Intellectual property, international trade, international rights?; The tragedy of the commons; The cultural diversity in biodiversity; All over the place - land and the yarding of culture; Determining knowledge - human rights and community resources; Community, before the law; Conclusion: community, once and for all; Resources; Index.

Johanna Gibson is based at the Queen Mary Intellectual Property Research Institute, within the University of London, UK.