Trading places with communities: towards the protection of traditional knowledge in the context of international trade and global marekts

In the context of intellectual property rights and international trade, the protection of traditional resources and knowledge remains uncertain. This paper considers the challenges to the traditional autonomy of the nation‐state in the context of globalisation and liberalisation of trade, and examines the potential for the protection and conservation of traditional resources in the international context of biodiversity and national borders of intellelctual property, drawing upon the Australian example. In addressing the need for relevant protection of traditional knowledge, this paper addresses the efficacy of modern notions of community beyond the geographic, localised model and towards diversity within a global civil society of obligations.