Patently ObviousPatently Obvious

Karimbhai practices herbal medicine from his home. Ten years ago he lived in a tiny hut, charged nothing for treating patients, and as his sons had no interest in learning his skills -- his knowledge was likely to die with him. By contrast Karimbhai today makes a good living -- with people traveling for miles for treatment and advice. He even has a patent application out for one of his medicines. His change of fortune came about after he joined the Honeybee Network, coordinated by Professor Anil Gupta with the aim of protecting and strengthening rural innovators and traditional knowledge keepers by documenting their work and protecting its patents.