The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) is a collaborative project between the National Institute of Science Communication And Information Resources (NISCAIR) and the Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, being implemented at NISCAIR.  The main objective of this network project is to prevent misappropriation of India’s rich heritage of traditional knowledge.  India has had unsavoury experience of noting the grant of wrong patents on turmeric by USPTO and neem by EPO.  These patents were successfully challenged by India and revoked in an expensive and time-consuming process.

The TKDL database provides an easily accessible and retrievable source for patent examiners to verify claims relating to traditional knowledge. The First phase of TKDL-Ayurveda presents information and images gleaned from 14 Ayurvedic texts and transcribed in five international languages -- English, German, French, Spanish and Japanese, using an innovative IT software. Over 36,000 formulations have been transcribed in patent application format. Currently work is in progress on the second phase, which will cover Unani, Siddha, and the residual work on Ayurveda. TKDL-Unani will cover 77,000 formulations.

TKDL has been able to set international specifications and standards for setting up of TK databases and registries based on TKDL specifications. This was presented at the fourth session of Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) of WIPO on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Expression of Folklore. The Technical Standards presented by India were adopted by the Committee in the fifth session of the IGC.

TKDL has been heralded as a model for other countries for protecting their Traditional Knowledge from misappropriation, and many countries are seeking collaboration with NISCAIR/CSIR in this area.