Bio-patent

Patenting was considered exclusively in industrial domain. Inventions, production processes were patented since long. But recently patenting is extended to biological field too. Bio-patent is the result of TRIPS (Trade related intellectual property right) as a part of WTO agreement signed by most of countries during 1994.

Bio-patent refers to patents obtained by individuals/groups/country to establish exclusive right over the origin of a particular organism/plant. Such right gives the holder to claim global trading rights - without any other group claiming the trading right.

Popular examples of bio-patent in recent years are:

Basmati rice

An American group had claimed global patent over basmati rice originated in India. It was successfully fought at WTO level and India obtained patent on it.

Neem based products

Neem is an Indian tree known for many medicinal properties. Some firms of Europe are trying to claim patent on neem.