Over 1500 yogic asanas shortlisted to thwart patenting by foreign MNCs, individuals

News:

• In a move that will help thwart attempts by foreign MNCs and individuals to get patents and trademark on ancient yoga techniques, the government has shortlisted over 1500 asanas and videographed over 250, classifying them as “traditional knowledge” of the country.
• The initiative will be a part of the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, a unit of CSIR of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
• The database is shared with the European Patent Office (EPO), United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), German Patent Office (GPO), Intellectual Property Australia (IPA), Japanese Patent Office (JPO) and Chile Patent Office (CPO) under a “non-disclosure” pact.
• Over the past one month, India has thwarted two attempts at patenting Indian traditional medicines, which again included turmeric.
• Europe’s Leading Dermaceutical Laboratory -Pangaea Laboratories Limited’s attempt to take patent on a medicinal composition containing turmeric, pine bark and green tea for treating hair loss was foiled.
• India thwarted another attempt by Colgate-Palmolive Company to patent a mouthwash formula containing herb (Nutmeg- Jayaphal) extract used in Indian traditional systems of medicine to cure oral diseases, at European Patent office.

Source: ET