Subject: Response to “Initial thoughts from an Animal Scientist’s perspective”

Date: 31.01.2006

Due to the limitation on characters, I will be presenting a set of 3 inputs to this discussion. They will be titled:

2. Utilising IP Rights in the Animal Sector

3. Potential use of Geographic Indications

Georgios Banos and Georgios Valergakis mention that patenting is largely about money and mention two reasons for this (To make money or to reimburse for expenses incurred). However, they fail to mention several other reasons which may be more relevant in developing countries and specifically where indigenous knowledge plays a large role in animal husbandry.

There are two aspects of interest to this debate. The types of IP available for use, and the reasons one may want to use IP.

Types of IP rights.

IP rights in South Africa and Namibia include:  Patenting, Copyright, Trademark, Trade secret, Registered Design, Public Registry, Access/ Benefit Sharing, Conservation Area, Registered collective mark, Geographic indicators, Plant Variety Protection, Plant Breeder’s Rights, and Protection for reputation of traders. In the USA there are some variations to this list. Some of these may not be relevant to the animal sector debate, possibly: registered design, conservation area, plant variety protection, plant breeder’s rights, and protection for reputation of traders – the remaining may be relevant.

Reasons for use of IP rights.

Reasons for use include: Spiritual importance, necessary for sustainability, economic dependency, traditional secret, medicinal properties, historical significance, increase profit, dissemination for public good, avoid exploitation, avoid piracy, privacy, preservation.

Dr Merida Roets

Managing Director: Scientific Roets (PTY) Ltd

(Rural development consultancy based in South Africa)