Medicinal Plants in Rio Grande do Sul: Intersections between the Innovation Ecosystem and Intellectual Property
intellectual property; medicinal plants; innovation ecosystem; biodiversity
The ecosystem of medicinal plants encompasses a diversity of actors, knowledge systems, and practices related to the use of biodiversity and traditional knowledge, constituting a context with significant potential for innovation and the valorization of intangible assets. However, the use of Intellectual Property instruments in this environment remains limited due to the low dissemination of these tools, institutional complexity, and the lack of systematized guidelines for their application. In this context, the present study aims to propose a protocol for the use of Intellectual Property instruments within the medicinal plants ecosystem. To achieve this objective, the research adopts the Design Science Research (DSR) methodological approach, structured in stages that include the identification of the research problem, the mapping of ecosystem actors, the analysis of public policies and the institutional environment related to the sector, the identification of elements eligible for protection through Intellectual Property instruments, and the development of a protocol aimed at applying these tools within the analyzed context. The expected results intend to contribute to a better understanding of the interactions between biodiversity, innovation, and Intellectual Property, providing support for strategies aimed at the valorization of intangible assets associated with medicinal plants and traditional knowledge.