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Databases</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/patentscope/en/">PATENTSCOPE</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/reference/en/branddb/">Global Brand Database</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/madrid/monitor/en/">Madrid Monitor</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/reference/en/designdb/">Global Design Database</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/hague/en/design_search/">Hague Express</a></li><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/ipdl/en/6ter/search-struct.jsp">Article 6ter</a></li> </ul></div><div class="nav nav--two"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Legal Resources</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/">IP Laws and Treaties (WIPO Lex)</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/">WIPO Administered Treaties</a></li> </ul> <h3 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href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/library/en/">Library</a></li> </ul></div></div> <p class="flyout__span d-hide"><a class="btn btn-info" href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/reference/en/">All knowledge</a></p></div></li><li class="flyout-control"> <a class="m-hide" href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/">About IP</a> <a class="t-hide d-hide" href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/">About IP</a><div class="flyout"><div class="nav-group nav-group--three"><div class="nav nav--one"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Intellectual Property</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/copyright/en/">Copyright</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/">Patents</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/">Trademarks</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/designs/en/">Industrial Designs</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/geo_indications/en/">Geographical Indications</a></li> </ul></div><div class="nav nav--two"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Training</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li> <a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/academy/en/">WIPO Academy</a></li><li> <a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/topic_type.jsp?group_id=242">Workshops & Seminars</a></li> </ul> <h3 class="flyout__header">IP and ...</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/artificial_intelligence/">Artificial Intelligence</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/universities_research/">Universities</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/women-and-ip/en/">Gender Equality</a></li> </ul> </div><div class="nav nav--three"> <h3 class="flyout__header">Raising Awareness</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/ip-outreach/en/ipday/">World IP Day</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/ip-outreach/en/awards/">WIPO Awards</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/ip-outreach/en/tools/">Outreach Campaigns</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/">WIPO Magazine</a></li> </ul></div></div> <p class="flyout__span d-hide"> <a class="btn btn-info" href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/">All about IP</a></p></div></li><li class="flyout-control"> <a class="m-hide" href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/">About WIPO</a> <a class="t-hide d-hide" href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/">About WIPO</a><div class="flyout flyout--shaded"><div class="nav-group nav-group--three"><div class="nav nav--one"> <h3 class="flyout__header">About WIPO</h3> <ul class="flyout__list"><li><a 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href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/about-wipo/en/">All about WIPO</a></p></div></li><li class="flyout__control flyout__trailer u-text-center d-hide t-hide"> <a href="#tools" title="Go to Meetings, Language, My Account, Media and Contact information">Tools ↓</a></li> </ul> <form method="GET" action="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tools/en/gsearch.html" class="form-search" name="searchm" id="searchm"> <input name="cx" type="hidden" value="016458537594905406506:hmturfwvzzq"> <input name="cof" type="hidden" value="FORID:11"> <label class="element-invisible" for="querym">Search</label> <input class="search-query" id="querym" name="q" placeholder="Search WIPO" type="text"> <button class="btn ss-search" title="Search"></button> </form></div> </nav><div class="container"> <div class="wrap-outer"> <div class="wrap-inner"> <ul class="nav-breadcrumb"><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/portal/en/">Home</a></li><li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/">Policy</a></li> <li class="active"><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/">Traditional Knowledge</a></li> </ul> <div class="dropdown nav__on-this-page"><a class="dropdown-toggle" href="#" data-toggle="dropdown">On this page <strong class="caret"></strong></a> <ul class="dropdown-menu dropdown-menu--on-this-page"> <li><a href="#tk">Traditional knowledge</a></li> <li><a href="#tce">Traditional cultural expressions</a></li> <li><a href="#gr">Genetic resources</a></li> <li><a href="#meetings">Seminars and workshops</a></li> <li><a href="#tacb">Training</a></li> <li><a href="#resources">Resources</a></li> <li><a href="#related">Related links</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="content"> <h1>Traditional Knowledge</h1> <div class="main"> <p class="lead">Traditional knowledge (TK) is a living body of knowledge passed on from generation to generation within a community. It often forms part of a people’s cultural and spiritual identity. WIPO's program on TK also addresses genetic resources (GRs) and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs).</p> <p class="lead">WIPO’s <a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/igc/">Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC)</a> is negotiating international legal instrument(s) on intellectual property (IP) and GRs, TK and TCEs.</p> <ul class="inline"> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/indigenous/">Indigenous portal</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/resources/faqs.html" target="_self">Frequently asked questions</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/resources/glossary.html" target="_self">Glossary of key terms</a></li> </ul> <div class="box"> <p><strong>Looking for information on the IGC?</strong> <a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/igc/" target="_self">IGC website</a> |  <a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/igc/snapshot.html">IGC: What is happening now</a></p> </div> </div> <div class="complementary"> <div class="box"> <p class="featured">Featured</p> <a id="wipoLnk1" class="media-object" href="#wipoModal1" data-toggle="modal"><img src="/web/20180713001112im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/posters/tk_adventure_yakuanoi_player_500.jpg" alt=""/></a> <div id="wipoModal1" class="modal hide fade" style="display: none;" tabindex="0"> <div class="modal-body"><video width="300" height="150" style="max-width: 640px;" id="wipoVideo1" tabindex="1" poster="/web/20180713001112im_/http://www.wipo.int/shared/pics/posters/tk_adventure_yakuanoi_1920.jpg" preload="none" controls="controls"> <source src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/en/tk/tk_adventure_yakuanoi.mp4" type="video/mp4"/> <source src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/en/tk/tk_adventure_yakuanoi.webm" type="video/webm"/> <source src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/en/tk/tk_adventure_yakuanoi.ogg" type="video/ogg"/> </video></div> <div class="modal-footer"><button id="wipoBtn1" class="btn" data-dismiss="modal">Close</button></div> </div> <p class="secondary">Video: "The Adventures of the Yakuanoi" – Navigating traditional knowledge and IP. (<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/https://www.youtube.com/user/wipo/search?query=TK" target="_blank">More TK videos on YouTube</a>)</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content line"> <div class="main"> <div id="wipo-news" class="content content--news" data-layout="vertical" data-xml="/tools/en/includes/ocms_news.xml?path=/tk/en/news/" data-number="3"></div> </div> <div class="complementary"> <div class="box"> <h3 class="box__header">Email updates</h3> <p><strong><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/newsletters-archive/en/traditional_knowledge_updates.html" target="_blank">Traditional Knowledge Updates</a></strong> – Regular news and resources about intellectual property & traditional knowledge; and IGC updates.</p> <a class="btn call-to-action" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/https://www3.wipo.int/newsletters/en/#tk_updates" type="submit">Sign up</a> | <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/https://www3.wipo.int/newsletters/en/">All WIPO newsletters</a></div> </div> </div> <div class="content cols cols--three line"> <div class="col col--one"> <figure><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/tk/" name="tk"> <img src="/web/20180713001112im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/istock_000020319731_600.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: iStockphoto.com/sproetniek)</figcaption> </figure> <h3><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/tk/">Traditional knowledge</a></h3> <p>A living body of knowledge that is developed, sustained and passed on from generation to generation within a community, often forming part of its cultural or spiritual identity.</p> </div> <div class="col col--two"> <figure><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/folklore/" name="tce"> <img src="/web/20180713001112im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/wipo_tce_generic_600.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: UN Photo/Mark Garten)</figcaption> </figure> <h3><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/folklore/">Traditional cultural expressions</a></h3> <p>Forms in which traditional culture is expressed; passed down from generation to generation, they form part of the identity and heritage of a traditional or indigenous community.</p> </div> <div class="col col--three"> <figure><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/genetic/" name="gr"> <img src="/web/20180713001112im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/wipo_gr_generic_600.jpg" alt=""/></a> <figcaption class="credit">(Photo: UN Photo/Forte)</figcaption> </figure> <h3><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/genetic/">Genetic resources</a></h3> <p>Genetic material, which are any material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin containing functional units of heredity, of actual or potential value.</p> </div> </div> <div class="content line"> <div class="main"> <h2><a name="meetings"></a>Seminars and workshops</h2> <p>We organize both seminars and practical workshops on IP and genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and traditional cultural expressions. Our seminars are designed as opportunities for member states and observers to discuss policy issues and exchange experiences in a less formal setting</p> <p>Our practical workshops are addressed to government officials and indigenous peoples and local communities. These multi-stakeholder workshops share knowledge, build understanding and foster coordination within and between countries. These practical workshops have no formal outcomes.</p> </div> <div class="complementary"> <figure><img src="/web/20180713001112im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/shared/pics/wipo_tk_workshop_600.jpg" alt=""/> <figcaption>Participants at a workshop held in Apia, Samoa from December 8 to 10, 2015 (photo: WIPO).</figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="content cols cols--two"> <div class="col col--one"> <h3 class="header">Upcoming and recent seminars</h3> <div class="listings listings--archive"> <article class="listing listing--archive"> <h4 class="listing__title"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=42301">Seminar on Intellectual Property and Traditional Cultural Expressions</a></h4> <p class="secondary"><time class="listing__published">June 8 and 9, 2017 (Geneva, Switzerland)</time></p> <p>Related resources: <a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/news/tk/2017/news_0009.html">Views from speakers</a> | <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/webcasting/en/index.jsp?event=WIPO/IPTK/GE/17#demand">Video on demand</a></p> </article> <article class="listing listing--archive"> <h4 class="listing__title"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=41785">Seminar on Intellectual Property and Traditional Knowledge</a></h4> <p class="secondary"><time class="listing__published">November 24 and 25, 2016 (Geneva, Switzerland)</time></p> <p>Related resources: <a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/news/tk/2017/news_0002.html">Views from speakers</a> | <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/webcasting/en/index.jsp?event=WIPO/IPTK/GE/2/16#demand">Video on demand</a></p> </article> <article class="listing listing--archive"> <h4 class="listing__title"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=39823">Seminar on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources</a></h4> <p class="secondary"><time class="listing__published">May 26 to May 27, 2016 (Geneva, Switzerland)</time></p> <p>Related resources: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/news/tk/2016/news_0003.html">Views from speakers</a> | <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/webcasting/en/index.jsp?event=WIPO/IPTK/GE/16#demand">Video on demand</a></p> </article> <article class="listing listing--archive"> <h4 class="listing__title"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=36502">Seminar on IP and GRs/TK/TCEs: Regional and International Dimensions</a></h4> <p class="secondary"><time class="listing__published">June 23-25, 2015 (Geneva, Switzerland)</time></p> <p>Related resources: <a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/news/tk/2015/news_0005.html">Key speeches</a> | <a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/webcasting/en/index.jsp?event=WIPO/IPTK/GE/2/15">Video on demand</a></p> </article> <article class="listing listing--archive"> <h4 class="listing__title"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=35602">Seminar on IP and GRs/TK/TCEs: Regional, National and Local Experiences</a></h4> <p class="secondary"><time class="listing__published">March 30 to April 1, 2015 (Geneva, Switzerland)</time></p> <p>Related resources: <a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/news/tk/2015/news_0002.html">Key speeches </a></p> </article> </div> </div> <div class="col col--two"> <h3 class="header">Recent workshops <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/topic.jsp?group_id=22"><button class="btn btn-info">Archive</button></a></h3> <div class="listings listings--archive"> <article class="listing listing--archive"> <h4 class="listing__title"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=44586">Workshop on IP and TK for Economic Development: Empowering Local Communities of Uganda</a></h4> <p class="secondary"><time class="listing__published">July 4 and 5, 2017 (Kampala, Uganda)</time></p> </article> <article class="listing listing--archive"> <h4 class="listing__title"><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/details.jsp?meeting_id=40624">Practical Workshop on IP, TK, TCEs and GRs</a></h4> <p class="secondary"><time class="listing__published">September 5 to 8, 2016 (Marrakesh, Morocco)</time></p> </article> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content line"> <h2><a name="tacb"></a>Training</h2> <div class="cols cols--three"> <div class="col col--one"> <h3>Distance learning course</h3> <p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/https://welc.wipo.int/acc/index.jsf?page=courseCatalog.xhtml&lang=en&cc=DL203E#plus_DL203E" target="_blank">Advanced Distance Learning Course on IP, TK and TCEs</a> provides technical information on key concepts and international, regional and national experiences, policy options and legal mechanisms available or under consideration for intellectual property protection of traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions.</p> </div> <div class="col col--two"> <h3>Hands-on training program</h3> <p>The <a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/resources/training.html">Cultural Documentation and IP Management Training Program</a> offers hands-on training for Indigenous Peoples and local communities on how to safeguard their music, performances, art, designs and other traditional cultural expressions (TCEs).</p> </div> <div class="col col--three"><video width="600" height="150" tabindex="0" poster="/web/20180713001112im_/http://www.wipo.int/shared/pics/posters/wipo_tktraining_600.jpg" preload="none" controls="controls"> <source src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/en/tk/maasai.ogg" type="video/ogg"/> <source src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/en/tk/maasai.webm" type="video/webm"/> <source src="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112im_/http://www.wipo.int/multimedia-video/en/tk/maasai.mp4" type="video/mp4"/> </video> <p class="secondary">Video: Digitizing Traditional Culture in Kenya.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content cols cols--four line"> <h2><a name="resources"></a>Resources</h2> <div class="col col--one"> <h3>Databases</h3> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/legal_texts/" target="_self">Laws, treaties and regulations</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/databases/contracts/" target="_self">Biodiversity-related access and benefit-sharing agreements</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/databases/creative_heritage/" target="_self">Codes, guidelines and practices relating to the recording, digitization and dissemination of TCEs</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/resources/db_registry.html" target="_self">Non-WIPO databases and registries of traditional knowledge and genetic resources</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col col--two"> <h3>Publications</h3> <ul class="dot__list"> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/resources/publications.html#general" target="_self">General information</a> and <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/publications/en/series/index.jsp?id=144" target="_self">background briefs</a></li> </ul> <ul class="dot__list"> <li>Practical guides on <a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/resources/festivals.html" target="_self">IP and Arts Festivals</a>, <a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/resources/handicrafts.html" target="_self">IP and Traditional Handicrafts</a>, <a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/resources/museums.html" target="_self">IP and Museums, Libraries & Archives</a></li> </ul> <ul class="dot__list"> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/resources/publications.html#protection" target="_self">Protection of TK and TCEs</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/resources/publications.html#access" target="_self">Access, benefit-sharing and disclosure</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/resources/publications.html#management" target="_self">IP management</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/resources/publications.html#cust_law" target="_self">Customary law</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col col--three"> <h3>TK experiences</h3> <p><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/resources/tk_experiences.html">Repository of resources</a> on regional, national, local and community experiences on intellectual property and genetic resources, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions. </p> <p>Includes laws, survey, case studies, presentations and other resources.</p> </div> <div class="col col--four"> <div class="media box"> <figure><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/resources/tkdocumentation.html"><img src="/web/20180713001112im_/http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/tk/images/tk_toolkit_draft.jpg" alt=""/></a></figure> <h3 class="media-heading"><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/resources/tkdocumentation.html">TK documentation</a></h3> <p>Practical guidance on how to undertake a TK documentation exercise.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="content cols cols--three line"> <h2><a name="related"></a>Related links</h2> <div class="col"> <h3>Intellectual property</h3> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/copyright/en/">Copyright</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/patents/en/">Patents</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/trademarks/en/">Trademarks</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/designs/en/">Industrial designs</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/geo_indications/en/">Geographical indications</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col"> <h3>Information resources</h3> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/archive.jsp">Documents</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/ipstats/en/">Statistics</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/freepublications/en/">Publications</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/directory/en/">Country profiles</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/">Case studies</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/library/en/">Library</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col"> <h3>Other policy topics</h3> <ul class="dividers"> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/econ_stat/en/economics/">Economics</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/global_health/">Global health</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/policy/en/climate_change/">Climate change</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20180713001112/http://www.wipo.int/ip-competition/en/">Competition policy</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(document).ready(function () { var v1 = $("#wipoVideo1").get(0); var playVideo = function(obj) { if (obj.paused){ obj.autoplay = true; obj.play(); } } var stopVideo = function(obj) { if (!obj.paused){ obj.pause(); obj.currentTime = 0; } } $('#wipoLnk1').click(function (){ playVideo (v1); 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