Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book reviews the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC) process. The IGC was established in 2000 and its deliberations are still ongoing. During its first years, the IGC was focused mostly on analysis and the exchange of national experiences with the aim of achieving a better understanding of the interface between intellectual property and genetic resources (GRs), traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs). The book considers the relationship between the WIPO IGC and other related forums. It helps to provide an explanation of the international legal scope and coverage that exists, from which the perceived gap on intellectual property (IP) and GRs, TK and TCEshas emerged and that the IGC has sought to address.