Previous documents have pointed out that a "clearer understanding of the role, contours and boundaries of the public domain is vital in the development of an appropriate policy framework for the IP protection of TCEs."68 Committee participants have stated that the public domain was not a concept recognized by indigenous peoples and/or that as expressions of folklore stricto sensu had never been protected under IP they could not be said to have entered a " public domain."
Selon les termes de tribus Tulalip, "c’est pour cette raison que les peuples autochtones demandent de manière générale la protection des savoirs que le système occidental considère comme faisant partie du "domaine public", estimant que ces savoirs sont et continueront d’être régis par le droit coutumier.