The objective of the Study is to identify and explore the role of intellectual property rights in the sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge. The Study was commissioned in response to Decision IV/9 of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The subject of the Study – intellectual property rights and benefit-sharing in respect of biological resources – became even more topical when the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) established a commitment to negotiate “an international regime to promote and safeguard the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources”. (WSSD Plan of Implementation, paragraph 44(o)). In particular, it is hoped that the Study may provide lessons relevant to the role of intellectual property rights in the implementation of Articles 8, 10 and 15 to 19 of the CBD and in the implementation of various WSSD commitments.