This guide describes how intellectual property (IP) issues arise in negotiations and agreements on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization or, as it is widely known, ABS. It has been produced by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in cooperation with the ABS Capacity Development Initiative. IP considerations often arise in negotiations or agreements on ABS. For example, this may occur because the proposed utilization of genetic resources is expected to lead to innovations or new knowledge that might be subject to IP rights. Additionally, IP considerations may arise during negotiations on benefit-sharing. The Nagoya Protocol mentions the sharing of research and development (R&D) results, payment of royalties and joint ownership of IP rights as possible monetary and non- monetary benefits. The objective of this guide is to support both providers and users of genetic resources in negotiating and drafting IP clauses in ABS agreements, by explaining how IP clauses may influence the approach and results of the utilization of genetic resources, and how benefits arising from such utilization are created and shared.