Protection of the Knowledge of Indigenous Traditional Medicine (Law No. 17)

The Law establishes a special regime to protect and promote respect for the knowledge of indigenous traditional medicine and to create mechanisms for the protection of traditional knowledge through the special system of collective intellectual property and guarantees the full and effective participation of congresses, councils or indigenous traditional authorities at different levels. It also establishes mechanisms for conducting studies of indigenous knowledge on biodiversity and respect for the fair and equitable participation in the economic benefits and intellectual property rights of indigenous peoples.