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Who owns the traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, and genetic resources of indigenous peoples and local communities around the world? Should there even be any form of ownership, and if so, what sort of legal framework should govern it? A committee of the World Intellectual Property Organization has been discussing these issues for several years and representatives from various countries have used the forum to share their views. There is a momentum to establish at least one international legal framework designed to recognize and protect the know-how of indigenous peoples and local communities.