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Inadequacy of Patent Regime on Traditional Medicinal Knowledge—A Diagnosis of 13‐Year Traditional Medicinal Knowledge Patent Experience in China
Author(s) -
Li Xuan,
Li Weiwei
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the journal of world intellectual property
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.334
H-Index - 8
eISSN - 1747-1796
pISSN - 1422-2213
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-1796.2007.00317.x
Subject(s) - patentability , china , novelty , medicinal herbs , business , traditional knowledge , traditional medicine , patent law , intellectual property , political science , medicine , law , psychology , biology , social psychology , ecology , indigenous
This article is intended to reveal the root problems that prevent traditional knowledge from being effectively protected by a patent regime. A close review of the 13‐year Chinese patent experience on traditional medicinal knowledge is made for this purpose. Through examination of characteristics of traditional medicinal knowledge in China, the article argues that novelty is not a primary barrier for patent protection; rather, patentability and industrial application are the key obstacles. Given the unique characteristics of traditional medicinal knowledge, it is necessary to establish a sui generis regime to protect traditional medicinal knowledge better.