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Planet Money

How to fight a patent pirate

Sep 1, 2023
Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar fights against patenting traditional Indian knowledge, starting with turmeric's wound-healing properties. The fight expands to include basmati rice and the issue of biopiracy. A traditional knowledge digital library in India helps prevent inappropriate patents and preserves ancient remedies.
25:18

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Quick takeaways

  • Dr. Raghunat Michelleker successfully fought against an unfair patent on the wound-healing properties of turmeric and established the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) to protect India's traditional knowledge.
  • Biopiracy, the appropriation of traditional and indigenous knowledge by Western patent offices, poses a significant issue, but the creation of the TKDL has proven effective in challenging and preventing inappropriate patents, addressing the problem.

Deep dives

Dr. Raghunat Michelleker's Battle Against Inappropriate Patents

Dr. Raghunat Michelleker, an Indian scientist, discovered that the wound-healing properties of turmeric had been patented in the US. He was shocked because turmeric has been widely used in India for centuries. Michelleker decided to fight this patent and declared it unfair. He gathered a legal team, challenged the patent, and eventually got it revoked. This victory was just the beginning as Michelleker learned of numerous other inappropriate patents on traditional Indian remedies. To address this systemic problem, he spearheaded the creation of a Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL). The TKDL is a comprehensive database of India's ancient texts and traditional knowledge, made accessible to patent examiners worldwide. So far, the library has prevented, revoked, or modified over 300 inappropriate patents. Despite controversies regarding its cost and necessity, Michelleker sees the TKDL as a successful tool in protecting India's traditional knowledge.

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