Intellectual Property Rights and Traditional Knowledge: The Case of Yoga

Economic & Political Weekly, Vol. 47, No. 27-28, pp. 2866-2871, July 2007

8 Pages Posted: 14 Aug 2007

See all articles by Krishna Ravi Srinivas

Krishna Ravi Srinivas

Research Information System for Developing Countries (RIS); NALSAR University of Law

Abstract

Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) related to traditional knowledge (TK) have been controversial and there has been accusations of bio-piracy and unauthorized appropriation of TK in the form of patents etc. There were reports that patents on Yoga had been granted by U.S. PTO and this was later denied. Patents on accessories, devices that enable practice and teaching of Yoga have been granted. Similarly there many trademarks related to Yoga have been granted. The copyright claims of the founder of Bikram Yoga have been controversial and the cases on these copyright claims have been settled out of court. Yoga with origins in India has become part of global consumer culture and has been transformed into what is called as 'transnational yoga'. Hence it has many meanings in different contexts. This article addresses the controversies and discusses the complexities involved in intellectual property rights related to Yoga.

Keywords: India, Intellectual Property Rights, patents, copyrights, traditional knowledge, Yoga, globalization, cultural property, Traditional knowledge digital library

Suggested Citation

Srinivas, Krishna Ravi, Intellectual Property Rights and Traditional Knowledge: The Case of Yoga. Economic & Political Weekly, Vol. 47, No. 27-28, pp. 2866-2871, July 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1005298

Krishna Ravi Srinivas (Contact Author)

Research Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) ( email )

New Delhi

NALSAR University of Law ( email )

Hyderabad
Telangana State
India

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