The Neem Tree, Environment, Culture and Intellectual Property

Summary

This study discussed on the rights of US company who utilize the patents to do research against the interest of indigenous India people who has used the neem tree for various ailments over 2000 years. Neem tree is a Mahogany related plant which grows in arid area of India, Burma, Southwest Asia and Africa. US  company has been suing Indian companies for creating the emulsion which they already have patented for the process. There are three issues arise, first issue: farmers will need to pay royalties for using patentable products, second issue: consumers will be starved for low-priced medicine and agricultural products and third issue: US company will need to share the profit obtained with local communities since they learned the value of the plant from local knowledge. The detail about the case study can be obtained from the following link:

in this scope

Background

Policies, Laws and Standards by countries​

Convention and Treaties​

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)​