Use of the Conventional Intellectual Property Legal Instrument Mechanism to Protect Traditional Knowledge of Swaziland

Abstract

The protection of traditional knowledge is one thorny issue which has since emerged in the international arena. It has since attracted some interest in the least and developing countries. WIPO which is a wing of the United Nations has since established a committee known as the Intergovernmental Council (IGC) which is mandated with the task of going around gathering some views on the way forward on this issue. Countries like Swaziland with a lot of traditional knowledge has been found to lack a protection mechanism on this rich resource when in actual fact the country can benefit economically if this resource is correctly utilized. The only way out in realizing benefit is through protection of traditional knowledge. A study was then conducted so as to find out if it is possible to use the existing intellectual property legal mechanism to protect the traditional knowledge of Swaziland. In order to achieve the results, a study was carried out using questionnaires where different classes of persons were interviewed. The audience included amongst others, chiefs, researchers, traditional healers, lawyers and elders of the communities. After completing the interviews, the results were analysed using the SPSS which results led to the conclusion reached.