The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) published a Federal Register Notice announcing a Tribal consultation, and a request for written comments, regarding the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources (GRs) and Associated Traditional Knowledge (ATK) that was adopted by WIPO Member States in Geneva, Switzerland, on May 24, 2024.
The Tribal Consultation will consist of four virtual webinars and a request for written comments on whether the United States should sign and implement the treaty and any impacts of taking those actions. "Tribe" or "Tribes" refer to Tribal Nations, state recognized Tribes, other Tribes, and Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.
Webinars
Two virtual webinars for federally recognized Tribal Nations and their proxies will be held Tuesday, March 18, and Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 3-5 p.m. ET.
Register for the March 18 webinar Register for the March 19 webinar
A webinar for the Native Hawaiian Community, their representatives and organizations, and other Pacific Islanders will be held Thursday, March 27, 2025, 3-5 p.m. ET.
Register for the March 27 webinar
A webinar for state and non-recognized Tribes, and Tribal and inter-Tribal organizations, including organizations that represent Indigenous Peoples based in the United States, will be held Friday, March 28, 2025, 3-5 p.m. ET.
Register for the March 28 webinar
Advance registration is required to participate in the webinars.
Written comments
Written comments on the questions detailed in the Federal Register Notice must be received by Monday, April 28, 2025. They may be submitted by email to TribalConsult2025_GRATKTreaty@uspto.gov, using the following heading in the subject line: WIPO GRATK TREATY TRIBAL CONSULTATION 2025.
If electronic submission of comments is not feasible, please submit comments by First-Class Mail or Priority Mail to: Susan Anthony, Tribal Affairs Liaison, Mail stop OPIA, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22314-1450.
Additional information on the treaty
- WIPO website for the Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Associated Traditional Knowledge
- Full text of the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Associated Traditional Knowledge
- Informal Summary of the WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Associated Traditional Knowledge
Additional information
For more information on the Tribal Consultation, please consult the Federal Register Notice. For additional information or questions, please email Susan.Anthony@uspto.gov or call 571-272-8459.