The pre-GATT period considered the biological and intellectual heritage of the third world as the 'common heritage of mankind.' According to environmentalist Vandana Shiva , "the products developed from this knowledge were secured under intellectual property protection, thus promoting the monopoly of multinational corporations over knowledge and biodiversity. The post-GATT period , gave developing countries the 'sovereignty' option which recognises sovereignty over biological resources and indigenous knowledge systems.

But India has failed to bring about changes in its intellectual and property rights and laws to protect its interests, says Gupta.

Basmati Patent

RiceTec, a Texas-based firm, received patent No. 5663484 from the US Patent Office a few months ago. According to CEO Robin Andrews, it is an improvement over types of 'American Basmati.'

In accordance with Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), patents are supposed to be