India Protects Traditional Use of Neem

The European Patent Office in Munich dismissed an appeal to the revocation of a patent it had previously granted for the use of neem as an antifungal agent. The plant has been used to control fungal infection by Indian farmers since ancient times. Advocates trying to protect the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples from exploitation welcomed the decision.

This is the second big battle over patents on traditional plant remedies in India. A patent granted by the United States for the use of turmeric to treat wounds was overturned in 1997. At that time India made the point that the patent could not be justified, as the remedy was neither novel nor invented by the patent seekers. Groups in India and many third world nations view the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples as a vital resource to their cultures.

Link: War against biopiracy from The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 2:00 PM on May 16, 2005