83. The representative of Thailand said that biopiracy and misappropriation of genetic resources and traditional knowledge had been of great concern to his delegation. As a co-sponsor of document WT/GC/W/564/Rev.1, his delegation believed that the draft amendment would strengthen the protection of traditional knowledge. He said that, although the intellectual property system was costly, difficult and burdensome for developing countries, especially small and poor developing countries, none of them had suggested abolishing the system. Intellectual property rights should be based on fair and equitable principles, which aimed at benefiting producers, inventors, owners and consumers as a whole. The current intellectual property system did not extend protection to genetic resources and traditional knowledge, which would encourage biopiracy and hurt developing countries. The issue was thus part of the development dimension of the Doha Development Agenda. The burden resulting from the disclosure requirements was minimal, compared to that of the intellectual property system. He said that Norway's proposal showed an important convergence among Members, and that it was time for Members to move to text-based negotiations.
