**9. Conclusions**

At present, it seems that neither the commercial manufacturers nor the science lobbyists have developed any plan of "benefit sharing" with the local populations. The situation takes on an aura of neo-colonial tendencies under the guise of protecting the world climate. In this scenario, the *Terra Preta de Índio* is today a "*Terra Preta do gringo"*; a black earth of English-speaking and publishing Northern-hemispheric researchers and for-profit companies. Incredibly, the patent process is now well underway where several companies already applying with the European Patent Office to protect "their" *Terra Preta* products (see European Patent 2188230B1). In Germany, *Terra Preta*, and *Terra Preta Mulata* are already registered words or trademarks (registered with the Terra Preta GmbH, Berlin). Clearly, these are not the product of European ingenuity, but the intellectual achievements of the people of the Amazon.

In blatant, unblushing irony, the same companies racing to register with the patent office continue to advertise the mystical "rainforest" as their products' point of origin. Major adjustments must be in the current profit and knowledge-sharing exchanges surrounding *Terra Preta*. Although efforts against debilitating climate change is certainly necessary and noble, shorter term economic value-setting and the absolute tangible benefits of disseminating *Terra Preta* practices should not continue to only benefit a very small and well-educated citizens of North American and European industrialized countries.
