Bio-piracy: The appropriation of traditional knowledge

The anxiety of man to lead happy and prosperous life plays a vital role in the course of development. The scientists invent new technology, the researchers are engaged in searching new things, the authors are producing new literature and industrialists are producing new products by newly invented techniques. The things that man presents for the use of society can be originated only through the use of skill, labour, intellect and endeavour of his own. Every creation or performance takes its first shape in the mind of a human being and acquires a physical status on the execution of idea so conceived. Therefore, all that what is produced or originated by human skill, intellect, labour and effort is called the intellectual property. It is similar to any property consisting of movable or immovable things wherein the proprietor or owner may use his property as he wishes and nobody else can lawfully use his property without his permission. The result of developments having taken place around the world and the rapid dissemination of knowledge is that the common man has become more aware of intellectual property rights. In this paper, major issues as to protection of Traditional Knowledge are taken up. The obvious reason is that a number of cases relating to Traditional Knowledge have attracted international attention and the issue of Traditional Knowledge has been brought to the fore of the general debate surrounding intellectual property