TMGL Vault

The TMGL Vault is a specialized digital repository designed to support countries in implementing a defensive intellectual property (IP) protection strategy for their Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). Aligned with the guidance provided by the WIPO landmark document on Documenting Traditional Knowledge, TMGL Vault’s primary objective is to create a secure platform where IPLCs can safely deposit descriptions of their health-related traditional knowledge. By leveraging advanced digital technologies, such as blockchain and encryption solutions, the TMGL Vault ensures that traditional knowledge is effectively protected from unauthorized use and exploitation.

TMGL Vault’s blockchain system establishes prior art, making it clear that traditional knowledge has been pre-existing and is not eligible for patent claims by external parties. This approach aims to safeguard traditional knowledge, preventing misappropriation and ensuring that it remains under the control of IPLCs. Access to this digital repository will be strictly controlled—available only to patent offices and a limited set of authorized users, providing an additional layer of security and confidentiality.

As a secondary objective, TMGL Vault contributes to the digital preservation of traditional knowledge, ensuring that vital cultural and medicinal practices are recorded and preserved for future generations. Additionally, TMGL Vault enables technical cooperation with countries, supporting them in establishing their own systems for IP protection, building a global network of secure traditional knowledge repositories. This dual approach of defensive IP protection and digital preservation positions the TMGL Vault as a pioneering tool in safeguarding and honoring the cultural and intellectual contributions of IPLCs.