How can Asian Countries Protect Traditional Knowledge (Local Knowledge)?

Anil K. Gupta (2001) presents and discusses his framework here.

Note that while Gupta's paper deals with biological materials, his framework can be extended to other forms of creativity. He explains:

Incentives for creating a sufficiently strong desire for experimentation will become embedded when modern institutions recognize, respect and reward the experiments done in the past. The experiments and innovations have led to very significant and identifiable advances in our knowledge about biodiversity and other natural resources and their application in our day-to-day life. One can make an equally strong case for recognizing traditional art and craft forms, music and other kinds of expressions of local creativity of individuals as well as communities based on traditional as well as modern materials.

Google Keywords: "social networking" "folk knowledge"