基于TRIPS框架下保护传统知识的正当性

对于在TRIPS框架内处理传统知识保护的问题,目前国际社会存在着严重的分歧,但是,反对方的观点并不能构成否定TRIPS框架下保护传统知识的正当性的充分理由,因为恰恰是TRIPS本身提供了在其框架内保护传统知识的根据。首先,TRIPS语境下的“私权”并非是个人化的权利,传统知识的群体持有并不构成在TRIPS框架下保护传统知识的理论障碍;其次,TRIPS确立的平衡各种利益的知识产权保护目标,体现了法律的公平原则,是传统知识寻求TRIPS保护的合法依据;第三,TRIPS将知识产权保护与贸易联系起来的实施机制,使之成为当今保护传统知识的最有效的形式。传统知识保护的国际协调,不是将TRIPS的现行规则推倒重来,而是在TRIPS框架下创造一种适应于传统知识特点的保护机制。

Justification for Protection of Traditional Knowledge in the TRIPS Framework

In international society,opinions differ about the protection of traditional knowledge (TK) in the TRIPS framework. However,such divergence does not deny the justification for the protection of TK in the TRIPS framework,for TRIPS itself provides a basis for the protection. Firstly,“private right” in the TRIPS context does not refer to the right of individuals and collective holding of TK clears the theoretical hurdle of its protection. Secondly,the intellectual property protection task set by the TRIPS to balance all sorts of interests indicates the legal principle of justice and is held as a legitimate authority for the TRIPS to protect TK. Lastly,TRIPS combines protection of intellectual property with trade and makes it the most effective way to protect TK in present days. The essence of international harmonization for protection of TK is to upbuild an institution to protect TK in the TRIPS rather than reverse the existing rules of TRIPS.