Basically, 'biopiracy' is the term used for the acquisition of materials and/or associated knowledge without the consent of the holders of the materials or knowledge either at the community or the national level. It is particularly used in cases where the ‘pirate’ protects the material, the knowledge, or the name through IPRs. Many cases of 'biopiracy' have their origin in an honest interest in local knowledge and materials, often even including local partners. There is a very thin line between using materials for the benefit of the world and 'pirating' on materials that have been developed by a particular community. Well known allegations of 'biopiracy' are the commercial production of Kava in Australia, a plant with medicinal/stimulant properties widely used in the pacific island states, without any benefits for the communities that developed the crop and its uses. Scientists must be aware of the implications for themselves and for their institute - especially when they are donor-funded - of being called a 'biopirate'.

Read more on biopiracy cases

1. Pacific plunder: Kava

2. The Basmati Case