116. The representative of Brazil expressed his surprise to hear the inclusion of "traditional knowledge" in discussions relating to the protection of geographical indications for wines and spirits. He believed that the two issues were entirely unrelated unless there was consideration of a theoretical possibility that traditional communities had some wines or spirits to protect. He recalled that, in the regular session, he had made the point that protection of traditional knowledge through geographical indications was just as ineffective as protection of traditional knowledge through other forms of intellectual property such as patents and copyright. In no way should the protection of traditional knowledge depend on registration, at least according to the legislation of Brazil. Traditional knowledge and geographical indications should be kept separate.
