Abstract: The present article analyses the protection of traditional knowledge related to biodiversity. After a brief overview of the political options and the legal devices used in a number of national and regional legal ordinances, the article focuses on the Brazilian option and criticizes the implementation of traditional knowledge protection in the country. In the end, it suggests a new legislative model to rule the issue. This model proposes to solve the main problems currently faced by Brazilian legislation in effect.

Keywords: Traditional knowledge, biodiversity, collective rights, Convention on Biological Diversity.