THE BIODIVERSITY CONVENTION, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, AND OWNERSHIP OF GENETIC RESOURCES: INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS PREPARED FOR: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY POLICY DIRECTORATE INDUSTRY CANADA JANUARY, 1996 BARBARA LAINE KAGEDAN, CONSULTANT MEMBER, ONTARIO AND NEW YORK BARS 40 GENEVA STREET OTTAWA, ONTARIO K1Y 3N7 TEL.: (613) 724-3214 FAX: (613) 724-5860 E-MAIL:
[email protected] This study was funded by the Intellectual Property Policy Directorate, Industry Canada. The study represents the opinions of the author who is solely responsible for its contents. It does not necessarily represent government policy. THE BIODIVERSITY CONVENTION, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, AND OWNERSHIP OF GENETIC RESOURCES: INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................... i ACRONYMS USED THROUGHOUT THE STUDY ............................. xi 1.0 INTRODUCTION ......................................................1 1.1 Background to the Review of International Developments ..............1 1.2 Methodology ..................................................3 1.3 Analytical Framework ...........................................4 2.0 ANALYSIS OF THE BIODIVERSITY CONVENTION: BIOTECHNOLOGY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPRs) ........................7 2.1 History and General Scope of the Biodiversity Convention .............8 2.2 The provisions concerning intellectual property rights ................10 2.2.1 Intellectual property rights on life forms ........................11 2.2.2 From common heritage