34 .Seble Mulat

ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
School of Law
Business Law
Property Rights Approach towards Traditional Cultural

Expressions in Ethiopia: Challenges and Prospects
By: Seble Mulat
Advisor: Biruk Haile (Assistant Professor)
A Thesis Submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of LL.M.

Degree in Business Law
Addis Ababa
Nov, 2015
Plagiarism Declaration
I, SEBLE MULAT do hereby declare that the thesis Property Rights Approach
towards Traditional Cultural Expressions in Ethiopia: Challenges & Prospects is
my original work and that it has not been submitted for any degree or examination in any
other university. Whenever other sources are used or quoted, they have been duly
acknowledged.
Name of Participant: _____________________ Signature --------------- Date -------------
This research paper has been submitted for examination with my approval as an advisor.
Name of advisor: ______________________ Signature--------------- Date ---------------
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Addis Ababa University
School of Graduate Studies
Faculty of law
Signed Approval Sheet by Board of Examiners
Property Rights Approach towards Traditional Cultural
Expressions in Ethiopia: Challenges & Prospects
By: Seble Mulat
Approved by Board of Examiners
_______________ ______________
Advisor Signature
_______________ _______________
Internal Examiner Signature
_______________ _______________
External Examiner Signature
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Acknowledgement
First, thank you the Almighty God for where I am today.
I am highly indebted to my advisor, Ass. Pro. Biruk Haile for his invaluable comments
and constructive suggestions.
I am most grateful to W/ro Marta without whom none of this could ever happen. I would
always be indebted to you.
I am also thankful for Ato Tedla Mamo, Copy Right and Community Knowledge
Protection and Development Process Director for agreeing for the interview and giving
me an insightful in to the topic at hand.
My family and friends thank you for your encouragements, without whom I would have
never reached the finishing line.
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Table of Contents
Content Page
Plagiarism Declaration ......................................................................................................... i
Approval Sheet.................................................................................................................... ii
Acknowledgement ............................................................................................................. iii
Table of Contents....iv
Abstract ............................................................................................................................. vii

Acronyms ......................................................................................................................... viii
CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................. 1
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1
1.1. Background of the Study .......................................................................................... 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem .......................................................................................... 2
1.3 Objective of the Study ............................................................................................... 4
1.3.1. General Objective ......................................................................................... 4
1.3.2. Specific Objective ......................................................................................... 4
1.4 Research Questions ................................................................................................... 4
1.5 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................... 4
1.6 Methodology ............................................................................................................. 5
1.7 Scope of the study ..................................................................................................... 5
1.8 Limitation of the Study ............................................................................................. 5
1.9 Organization of the Study ......................................................................................... 6
CHAPTER TWO ................................................................................................................ 7
2 TRADITIONAL CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS IN THE PROVINCE OF IPRs ........... 7
2.1. Introductory Remarks on Traditional Cultural Expressions .................................... 7
2.2. Traditional Cultural Expressions and Traditional Knowledge................................. 8
2.3. Defining TCEs........................................................................................................ 11
2.3.1. Terminology................................................................................................ 11
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2.3.2. Owners of TCE ........................................................................................... 12

2.3.3. Subject Matters of TCE......................................................................................15
2.3.4. Natures of TCE ........................................................................................... 17
2.4. The Dialogue between TCE and IPRS ................................................................... 17
2.4.1. Cultural Property ......................................................................................... 17
2.4.2. Public Domain ............................................................................................ 18
2.4.3. TCEs under the Prevailing IPRs Laws.............................................................19
I. Copyright ............................................................................................... 21
II. Neighboring Right Laws ...................................................................... 25
III. Trade Markes ...................................................................................... 26
IV. Geographical Indication...................................................................... 27
V. Industrial Design ................................................................................. 27
CHAPTER THREE .......................................................................................................... 29
3.1. Conceptual Underpinnings of TCEs; Protection and Commercialization ............. 29
3.1.1. Protection .................................................................................................... 29
3.1.2. Commercialization ...................................................................................... 32
3.3. Alternatives for protection of TCEs ....................................................................... 34
3.3.1. Sui generis systems ..................................................................................... 34
3.3.2. Customary Laws ......................................................................................... 35
3.4. Recording and Documentation ............................................................................... 36
3.5. International Foras, International & regional Initiatives and National Experiences
for the protection of TCEs ............................................................................................. 38
3.5. 1. International Foras............................................................................................38
a.UNESCO ............................................................................................... 38
b. WIPO..............................................................................................................39
3.5.2. International Initiatives.......................................................................................43
a.Berne convention(Stockholm Revisions(1967) .................................... 43
b. The Rome Convention(indirect protecrion)..............................................44
c.The Tunis model law ............................................................................. 45
d. WPPT(1996) .................................................................................................47
e.WIPOUNESCO Model Provisions(1982)............................................ 48
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f.TRIPS ..................................................................................................... 51
3.5.3. Regional initiatives..............................................................................................52
I.Banui Agreement 1999 ........................................................................... 52
II. Pacific Regional Framework(2002)...........................................................54
3.5.4. Selected National Experiences..........................................................................56
I.Panama .................................................................................................... 56
II. The Philippines.............................................................................................58
III.Ghana .................................................................................................. 60
CHAPTER FOUR............................................................................................................. 63
4. PROTECTION OF TCEs IN ETHIOPIA ..................................................................... 63
4.1. Introduction to TCEs in Ethiopia ........................................................................... 63
4.2. Objective for Protection of TCEs ........................................................................... 65
4.3. Policies and Laws on the protection of TCEs in Ethiopia...................................... 66
4.3.1. The Constitution.......................................................................................... 66
4.3.2. Policy Consideration...........................................................................................67
4.3.3. General overview of the existing IPRs in Ethiopia for the protection of
TCEs................................................................................................................................69
4.4. The Draft Law on the Protection and Commercialization of TCEs ....................... 72
4.4.1. Subject Matter of Protection..............................................................................72
4.4.2. Terms of Protection..................................................................................... 74
4.4.3. Duration of Protection........................................................................................75
4.4.4. Transfer and Authorization of Rights on Folklore..........................................75
4.4.5. Limitations on the Right.....................................................................................76
4.5. Documentation in Ethiopia..................................................................................... 76
CHAPTER FIVE .............................................................................................................. 78
5 Conclusions and Recommendation ................................................................................ 78
5.1 Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 78
5.2 Recommendation ..................................................................................................... 79
Bibliography
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Abstract
This thesis addresses a number of pertinent issues concerning Traditional Cultural

Expressions, specifically in relation to what they are, the terms of protection, issues
related with public domain, whether or not the existing IPRs regime is adequate for
protection and the dilemma surrounding ownership. Most importantly the thesis examines
whether or not the existing legal environment and policies of Ethiopia relevant to the protection
of Traditional cultural expressions (TCEs) are adequate. In order to address these issues, this
thesis will examine the development of, national, regional and International regulatory
mechanisms and how the current discourse is evolving at these levels. At the international
level there is no single legal binding document for the protection of TCEs. Over four decades
have passed since negotiations started at the international level to come up with laws to regulate
the use of TCEs. The complexity of the issue, the variation of interests among stakeholders and
the fact that developed nations have not given due attention to the matter are some of the factors
that have contributed for the delay. The inadequate legal recognition and, ultimately, insufficient
international recognition and protection of TCEs has orchestrated the misappropriation of such
works for the benefit of the non authoring community In Ethiopia there is no comprehensive legal
regime to effectively protect TCEs. At the time of writing of this thesis a draft law for the
protection of traditional cultural expression is being prepared by the Ethiopian intellectual
property office. The biggest underlying issue today both at the international level and in Ethiopia
is whether TCEs should be recognized within the domain of Intellectual Property Rights or
through a sue generis system. This thesis argues that because of the communal nature of TCEs,
existing regimes of protection such as copyright, Neighbouring right laws ,patent, trademark,
Industrial design do not provide adequate protection for TCEs; and that, therefore, new
systems of protection need to be considered, developed and implemented for protection of TCEs
in Ethiopia.
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Acronyms
Art. Article
CICH- Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
CDCE - Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions
EIPO- Ethiopia Intellectual Property Office
EOF- Expressions of Folklore
ILO- International Labor Organization
IP- Intellectual Property
IPRs- Intellectual Property Rights
P. - Page
Sec- Section
TCEs Traditional Cultural Expressions
TK- Traditional Knowledge
TRIPS- WTO Agreement on Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights
UN- United Nations
UNESCO- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNPFII- United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
WIPO- World Intellectual Property Organization
WIPO-IGC- WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic
Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore
WTO- World Trade Organization
WPPT- WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty 1996
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CHAPTER ONE
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background of the Study

Traditional Cultural expression1 is the result of indigenous peoples intellectual creations
and a vital ingredient of human civilization.2 The emergence of globalization has opened
the door for people around the globe to become more intertwined with each other in areas
of politics, culture and in economics. Services and goods are moving from one country to
another easily. As a result of this movement a fierce competition is created in the market.
Products with new and distinctive characters are more popular and more competitive. As
traditional cultural expressions have rich cultures features and diversity, it becomes the
best raw material for new designs or other new products3. This competition which is
the result of globalization accelerated commercialization of TCEs into a global- scale
market. The commercial exploitation of TCE in some instances has resulted in
commercialization without respect for ethnic communities culture, disclosure of a sacred
or secret expressions and exploitation without benefitsharing with the community which
created such expression.
As a result intellectual property framework is used as a tool to protect and to benefit

indigenous people from the use of their cultural expression through an intellectual
property framework. Intellectual property laws may play an important role by providing
legal protection for traditional cultural expressions. This protection can enable
communities and their members to protect commercialize their traditional creations, if
they wish to do so, or exclude competitors from free exploitation.4
1
. The terms traditional cultural expressions, expressions of folklore, indigenous culture, and intangible and
tangible cultural heritage, are all used to refer to the traditional cultural creations of a community see Consolidated
Consolidated Analysis of the Legal Protection of Traditional Cultural Expressions, at Annex 2, Annex 17, WIPO Doc.
WIPO/GRTKF/IC/5/3(May2,2003),availableathttp://www.wipo.int/documents//meetings/2003/igc/pdf/grtkf_ic_5_3.pd
f
2
. Li Lou: Intellectual property protection of traditional cultural Expressions, folklore in China ( Springer
International Publishing Switzerland 2014)
3
.Id
4
Dionyssia Kallinikou Protection of traditional cultural expressions or expressions of folklorePaper presented for the
conference "Can Oral History Make Objects Speak?", Nafplion, Greece. (2005)< Available at http://icme.icom.
Museum> accessed on October 13 2014
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The protection of folklore, and whether an intellectual property framework should be

developed in this area, has been an issue on the international agenda since the 1970s.5
There is keen debate amongst indigenous communities, government officials, public
negotiators and academic commentators alike over whether IPRs are appropriate for the
preservation and legal protection of TCEs.6 For developing countries like Ethiopia the
intellectual property issues concerning traditional expressions differ significantly to those
of developed countries which tend to be more concerned with protecting scientific
inventions and innovations made by their multinational companies. Since the 1970s,
misappropriation of indigenous resources aided by western IP laws topped UNESCO and
WIPOs agendas for preservation of cultural heritage of underprivileged societies.7 The
Convention on Cultural Diversity is one of UNESCOs most recent initiatives on
protection of traditional expressions. UNESCO/WIPOs Model Provisions for National
Laws on the Protection of Expressions of Folklore against Illicit Exploitation and other
Prejudicial Actions adopted in 1982 was one of the first comprehensive international
initiatives to protect traditional expression resources. The Model Provisions provided a
sui generis model for countries to adopt appropriate laws to protect their traditional
expressions. Even though different efforts have been made to regulate TCEs at
international level there is still no binding law to regulate TCEs to date.
1.2. Statement of the Problem

Traditional expressions reflect and identify a communitys history, cultural and social
identity, and values. The traditional cultural expressions could be manifested through folk
tales, riddles, folk songs, folk poetry, traditional songs, instrumental music, dances etc.
having their own unique characteristics. It is expressed through means of creativity.
5
.Stephen palethorpe and stefaan verhulst report on the international protection of expressions of folklore under
intellectual property law Contract Number ETD/2000/B5-3001/E/04 [available at http:// www.googlebook. Et]
(October 2000) accessed on February 16 2014.
6
. Tzen wong & Claudia Fernandini. Traditional Cultural Expressions: Preservation And Introduction Innovation; IP
Resources The Right Size, At The Right Time, In The Right Place (2011) < available at www.piipa.org> accessed on
December 6 2014
7
. Dick Kawooya. Copy right, indigenous knowledge and Africas university Libraries: the case of Uganda paper
presented at the world library and information congress: 72nd IFLA general conference and council (20-24 August
2006,) Seoul, Korea http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla72/ index.htm accessed on February 16,2014
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The protection of traditional cultural expressions has now become an issue at

international level. A new awareness has emerged of indigenous peoples and traditional
communities interests in owning, controlling and accessing their traditional expressions.
After Colonization is over indigenous people sought recognition and protection of their
TCE that ranges from stories, myths, folk tales, songs and music, to symbols, designs,
paintings, sculptures, carvings, handicrafts, dances, and rituals.
Intellectual property rights (IPRs) are being considered as a tool to protect TCEs by
preventing misappropriation and misuse, and contributing to the preservation and
safeguarding of indigenous names, signs and symbols, and of TCEs generally. Some
argued Existing international and national legal systems are not typically compatible with
indigenous culture and law, and they do not sufficiently address the concerns of
indigenous peoples for protection of their creative heritage. Because the laws were
developed by the Western nations that didnt take into account the cultural needs of the
indigenous people. Conversely, others feel the existing IPRs can fully be utilized to
protect TCEs of indigenous people.
Ethiopia is a nation which is credited with having more than 80 Nation and Nationalities
which are enriched with their unique TCEs. Nowadays TCEs are being considered as
cultural property. Unfortunately they are not fully utilized. For the indigenous people
who want to secure their right to their cultural property the only solution they have could
be the existing IPR laws since there are no specific laws concerned with the protection
and commercialization of TCEs. In light of this the existing laws has to be examined to
ascertain whether or not they can adequately protect TCEs.
The importance of legally protecting TCEs for Ethiopia will be explored in this paper.
Along with identifying the objectives that are sought to be achieved, problems that will
arise in the attempt to protect TCEs using the existing IPRs or other laws or systems will
be identified. International laws will be discussed as they will have effect on the country
and they could also serve as a bench mark.
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1.3. Objective of the Study
1.3.1. General Objective
The general objective of the study is to identify the challenges and prospects of protecting
TCE s under the Ethiopian legal system.
1.3.2. Specific Objective
Explaining the need and rational of protection of TCEs in Ethiopia

Examining the extent of protection and suitability of existing IP norms in
Ethiopia
1.4. Research Questions
This research will answer the following main research questions;
Can the existing IPR laws adequately protect TCE?

What are the gaps in the existing IPR instruments both at the international and
national level?
Are sue generis systems suitable for protection of TCEs?
1.5. Significance of the Study

Ethiopia is enriched with traditional expressions that have been passed down from one
generation to the next. Now that globalization is closer to us more than ever before our
traditional cultural expressions are exposed to the outside world. Therefore, the study
hopes to contribute in the following way. First, it helps the community and the
government to understand the challenges and prospects of protecting and
commercializing of traditional cultural expressions. Second, it will help the law maker of
Ethiopia to adopt the best kind of protection for TCE in the future by showing the
inadequacy of the existing IPR instruments. Third, the findings and recommendations of
the study will serve as an input for further research in this area.
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1.6 Methodology
The methodology employed in this study is mainly a desktop. It will analyze the existing
literatures, policies and laws including relevant primary and secondary sources. It will
also analyze secondary sources such as books, articles, documents, internet sources and
etc. In addition interviews with the relevant personnel from different institutions will be
conducted on issues related with protection and commercialization of traditional cultural
expressions in Ethiopia.
In particular this research will cover the following legal documents and model laws;
a) Selected international legal instruments that recognize the protection of TCEs like
the WIPO/UNESCO model, the Tunis model law, Bangui Agreement, the pacific
regional model laws will be discussed so that they can be used as a reference in
framing the new national legislation for protection of EOF/TCEs TCEs in
Ethiopia.
b) domestic laws like the constitution, the Ethiopian IPRs laws will be discussed in
order to analyze whether or not the existing Ethiopian laws offer adequate
protection for TCEs
c) The Ethiopian draft law on TCEs will be analyzed
1.7 Scope of the Study

The mechanisms for protection of Traditional cultural expression are many including
indigenous customary laws and other complimentary laws. Although the study highlights
these alternatives it only focuses on the intellectual property rights protection of
traditional cultural expressions in Ethiopia by analyzing international and domestic
instruments.
1.8 Limitation of the Study

This research aims to explore the protection of Traditional cultural expressions in
Ethiopia. The issue of protection for TCEs is a recent phenomena as such the writer has
encountered problems in finding reading material especially in Ethiopia to make an in
depth analysis. The lack of knowledge on this area has also made it difficult to conduct
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interviews with personnel at the relevant institutions. In addition lack of sufficient

finance and the time constraint has made it difficult to conduct a comprehensive research.
1.9 Organization of the Study
The study is organized into five chapters. The first Chapter gives a general outline to the
study. The second chapter is an introduction to traditional cultural expressions. The third
chapter explores issues, progresses and challenges in the protection and
commercialization of cultural expressions at international level. The forth chapter
explores the commercialization and protection of traditional expression in Ethiopia.
Conclusion and recommendations form chapter five.
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CHAPTER TWO
2 TRADITIONAL CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS IN THE

PROVINCE OF IPRs
2.1. Introductory Remarks on Traditional Cultural Expressions
Every nation claiming to be a part of the civilized world is proud of its cultural heritage.
Folklore is probably the most important and well-acclaimed component of the cultural
heritage of a nation. It can reflect the essentials of a nations cultural attributes as in a
mirror and is recognized as a basis for its cultural and social identity.8 Traditional
Cultural Expressions (Folklore) preserves ancient cultural memories and embraces the
unique cultural features of an ethnicity. These memories and features, the result of human
wisdom and intellectual creation, become the unique cultural identity of an ethnicity,
distinguishing it from other ethnicities.9
Nations all over the world are quite possessive about this valuable heritage and express
very strong sentiments about the management and protection of the rich resource
especially the developing countries.10 This is because historically many nations were
colonized by the western nations and as a result the protection of TK and TCEs is seen by
many indigenous peoples as central to their struggle for self-determination and control
and management of their land and resources.11 After colonization was over Folklore was
discovered as cultural capital and an economic resource of new nation states. But
decolonization did not mean the abolishment of European state concepts and legal
systems.12As Raorane noted the cultural developments in Europe that influenced the
development of law are not so universal and transcendent that the law can be lifted out of
context and applied successfully to the diverse cultural traditions of indigenous peoples
8
. A study on the protection of Expressions of folklore WIPO/GRTKF/STUDY/1, 25 November 2002, at p.1,
[available at http://www.wipo.int/documents// November 2002 ] accessed on November 2014 at p.1
9
. Id Supra note 2
10
.Supra note 8 at p.1
11
. Supra note 6 at p.4
12
. Monika Domman Lost in tradition? Reconsidering the history of Folklore and its legal protection since 1800
Christoph B. Gaber and N. Burry-Neonva(Eds) Intellectual Property And Traditional Cultural Expressions In A Digital
Environment (Edward Elgar Publishing Limited(UK) & Edward Elgar Publishing, Inc.(USA)2008)
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around the world. Yet Western legal requirements are applied to TCEs. The result is that
TCEs are often denied protection because they fail to meet the requirements imposed by
the extrinsic laws, such as the requirements of authorship, originality, or fixation under
copyright law. These requirements are not imposed by the indigenous peoples
themselves and are inconsequential to the type of protection they desire Imposing such
requirements only leads to the denial of protection of TCEs 13 Lack of any formal or
informal laws in many developing countries which specifically bestowed ownership
rights of folklore on any community or group of persons to prohibit its exploitation
without their consent14 has led to continuing abuses and profiteering by outside
15
corporations using western- centric doctrines. As Dr. Mugabe noted Indigenous
cultural knowledge has always been an open treasure box for the unfettered appropriation
of items of value to Western civilization. While we assiduously protect rights to valuable
knowledge among ourselves, indigenous people have never been accorded similar rights
over their cultural knowledge. Existing Western intellectual property laws support,
promote, and excuse the wholesale, uninvited appropriation of whatever indigenous item
strikes our fancy or promises profit, with no obligation or expectation to allow the
originators of the knowledge a say or a share in the proceeds. 16
2.2. Traditional Cultural Expressions and Traditional Knowledge

The line between "traditional knowledge" (TK) and "expressions of folklore" (EoF) or
"traditional cultural expressions" (TCE) is a porous one.17 This does not mean that that
13
. Meghana, Raorane Aiming Straight: The Use of Indigenous Customary Law To Protect Traditional Cultural
Expressions, Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal Association VOL. 15 NO. 3 (2006) p. 831
14
. Expressions of Folklore and its International protection, report prepared by The Asian-African Legal Consultative
Organization Secretariat(AALCO) E-66Vasant New Delhi 110057 (India)
15
. Jimmy Pak Re imagining the Wheel: Seeking a Feasible International Regime to Protect Indigenous Cultural
Expressions Through Trademark law Global Business & Development Law Journal / Vol. 24 (2013) p.382
16
. Dr.John Mugabe. Intellectual property protection and traditional knowledge ;an exploration in international policy
discourse [available at www.Wipo.Int.pdf ] accessed on November 28, 1014
17
.C.J.S. Picart & M. Fox. Beyond Unbridled Optimism and Fear: Indigenous Peoples, Intellectual Property, Human
Rights and the Globalisation of Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Folklore: Part I International Community
Law Review 15 (2013) 319-339 (P.229)
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line is not a real one. But it does mean that the same object can be viewed from multiple
and intersecting perspectives, as both an object of TK and TCE/EoF, much as the same
"object" can be simultaneously protected by both patent law and copyright law.18
Traditional knowledge is a less familiar concept under the legal system of the world.
Some commentators use this phrase to refer to all that is known and expressed by
traditional groups, including traditional cultural expressions.19 Conversely, some
commentators and policymakers have defined TCE to include all traditional knowledge.20
However Indigenous and traditional communities often regard expressions of their
traditional cultures/folklore as inseparable from systems of traditional knowledge (such
as medical and environmental knowledge, and knowledge related to biological
resources). 21 In 1998 WIPO developed a definition for the term traditional knowledge for
the purposes of a 1998-1999 fact-finding mission (that has come to be regarded
somewhat as a standard definition): In that definition traditional cultural expressions are
included as category of TK
Traditional knowledge refer [s] to tradition-based literary, artistic or scientific works;

performances; inventions; scientific discoveries; designs; marks, names and symbols;
undisclosed information; and all other tradition-based innovations and creations
resulting from intellectual activity in the industrial, scientific, literary or artistic fields.
..Categories of traditional knowledge could include: agricultural knowledge;
scientific knowledge; technical knowledge; ecological knowledge; medicinal knowledge,
including related medicines and remedies; biodiversity-related knowledge; traditional
cultural expressions (expressions of folklore) in the form of music, dance, song,
handicrafts, designs, stories and artwork; elements of language, such as names,
geographical indications and symbols; and, movable cultural properties...22
18
.Id
19
.WIPO, Information Brochure, Towards the Establishment of a Regional Framework for the Protection of
Traditional Knowledge, Traditional Cultural Expressions and Genetic Resources in the Caribbean Region, A3:L434E
(2008), (http://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdo), last visited on December 13, 2014.
20
.Id
21
. Samantha Noronha. United Nations Educational, Scientific And Cultural Organisation And Intellectual Property
Rights ( Unpublished MA Thesis submitted to College Of Law Margao- Gao)
22
. Greg Young, Intellectual Property Rights, Legislated Protection, Sui Generis Models and Ethical Access in the
Transformation of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge, october 2006, (unpublished PhD submitted to the university of
British Columbia) p.162
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However, WIPO noting the distinct legal tools and different set of policy questions arise
when IP protection is applied to protect TCE and TK it further subdivided the material it
seeks to cover as TK into two23: first, a general sense (TK lato sensu), which embraces
the content of knowledge itself as well as traditional cultural expressions
(TCEs)/expressions of folklore, and distinctive signs and symbols associated with TK;24
and, second, a more precise sense (TK stricto sensu), which focuses on technical (for
example, agricultural, environmental and medicinal) knowledge, which refers to the
content or substance of traditional know-how, skills, practices and learning; this can be
recognized as distinct subject matter, even though this content or substance may be
considered integral with traditional ways of expressing the knowledge and the traditional
context in which the knowledge is developed, preserved and transmitted. 25 It focuses on
technical (for example, agricultural, environmental and medicinal) knowledge.26
The IP protection of TCEs raises certain specific questions of cultural policy and, unlike
technical TK, involves legal doctrines closest to those underpinning the copyright and
27
related rights systems. The general principles and specific solutions for TCEs and TK
are likely to differ, It is also important that the forms of protection provided for folklore
be inspired and shaped by the appropriate legal and cultural policies and principles.28
According to Samanta a distinct focus on TCEs/folklore facilitates more specific,
technical and concrete discussions, and engages more fully the experiences and
perspectives of relevant stakeholders, such as Government offices and departments
dealing with copyright, culture and education; indigenous and traditional bearers and
performers of cultural traditions and artistic expressions; and folklorists,
ethnomusicologists, archivists and other cultural scholars.29
23
. Christoph Antons. At the Crossroads: The Relationship Between Heritage and Intellectual Property in Traditional
Knowledge Protection in Southeast Asia (2013). p.82
24
.Id
25
. Intellectual property and traditional knowledge: the work and the role of the world intellectual property
organization (WIPO), Shakeel T. Bhatti, (2004).
26
.Supranote 16 p. 82
27
.Supra note 21, p.16
28
.supranote21,atp.16
29
. Supra note 21, at p.17
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In the end though the differences between TK and TCE are porous, the pragmatic effect
of different definitions is having multiple legal avenues to protect these valid property
interests.30
2.3. Defining TCEs
2.3.1. Terminology
Although expressions of folklore was the term used most commonly in international
discussions and is found in many national laws, some communities have expressed
reservations about the negative connotations associated with the word folklore.31 The
32
term folklore was first coined by William Thoms in 1846. He referred to folklore in
his letter to The Athenaeum to replace popular antiquities and popular literature.
Initially the word had been used in hyphenated form folk-lore, but later on the hyphen
33
was discarded. William Thoms meant to include manners, customs, observations,
superstitions, ballads, proverbs and so on, in the term folklore, which he summarized as
the lore of the people. 34Since the mid-1980s, when WIPO and UNESCO had convened a
Group of Experts on the Protection of Expressions of Folklore by Intellectual Property,
there has been a lively debate about the terminology, which should be used to describe
the creations of a cultural community.35 The representatives of the Spanish-speaking
countries at the 1985 meeting of the Group of Experts took the position that "folklore"
was an archaism, with the negative connotation of being associated with the creations of
lower or superseded civilizations.36
30
Supra note 17, at P.230
31
. WIPO, Intergovernmental Comm, on Intellectual Prop, and Genetic Res,, Traditional Knowledge, and Folklore,
Traditional Cultural Expressions/Expressions of' Folklore: Legal and Policy Options, WlPO/GRTKF/IC/6/3 29, para,
110 (Dec, 1, 2003)
32
. Mrs. P.V. Valsala G. Kutty. National Experiences With The Protection Of Expressions Of Folklore/Traditional
Cultural Expressions: India, Indonesia And The Philippines p.7. [available at
http://www.wipo.int/tk/en/studies/cultural/expressions/study/kutty.pdf] last visited 12/29/2014]
33
. Id
34
. Id
35
. WIPO, intellectual property and traditional cultural expressions (folklore) [available at
http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/freepublications/en/tk/913/wipo_pub_913.pdf,] last visited on January 23 , 2014
23 , 2014
36
. Id
Page|11
Based on the reservations raised WIPO nowadays uses the term traditional cultural
expressions (or simply TCEs) whereas, expressions of folklore is understood as a
synonym of the prior.37
2.3.2. Owners of TCE
The link of TCE with cultural diversity and with relevant local traditions and
communities has led to a debate at national and international level as to who precisely the
right holders and beneficiaries of any form of TCE protection should be, once such
protection is introduced.38 Intellectual property rights protect the intellectual property of
one or more (however always identifiable) person(s), company (ies) or other legal
entities39. Whereas the ownership rights of TCEs are based on communal notions, where
the community owns the cultural expressions passed down by its ancestors, and no
individual member has the authority to alienate them.40 According to johnssons TCEs is
often that they do not have an author, but are attributable to a cultural group or traditional
community who are seen as the guardians of the work, and have responsibility for the
work, but do not own the work in the Western copyright sense. 41
During the IGC meetings, indigenous organizations continuously argued that the
definition of beneficiaries should focus on local and indigenous communities as the
holders and guardians of TCEs,42 whereas a number of national delegations insisted on
much broader definitions proposing to include such terms as nations, families,
minorities and/or individuals.
37
. Id
38
39
. Yozo Yokota and the Saami Council Guideline for the review of the draft principles and guidelines on the heritage
of indigenous peoples working paper submitted Twenty-second session of UNESCO for the review of the draft
principles and guidelines on the heritage of indigenous peoples (17 June 2004 ) p.4
40
.Supra note 13 at p. 16
41
. Supra note 39 p.5
42
.supra note 23 p.85
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The current document43 prepared by the IGC still contains mainly contentious terms and
aspects in brackets and defines beneficiaries of protection as indigenous [peoples] or
[local communities], [or as determined by national law or by treaty] [who hold, maintain,
use or develop] the traditional cultural expressions as defined in determined by Article
1).44
As with the term TCE the term indigenous people is also difficult to define. Indigenous
people themselves have expressed concerns regarding the idea of a formal definition for
fear of excluding groups that are not encompassed by the definition. According to the
United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), there are more than
370 million indigenous people in approximately ninety countries worldwide.45 Scholars
and different regional and international organizations have attempted to define
indigenous people.
Erica Irene Daes who conducted a comprehensive review of the literature and the practice
of international institutions that inform the meaning of the term indigenous, identified
four factors relevant to determining whether a people is indigenous:46
(a) Priority in time, with respect to the occupation and use of a specific territory;
(b) The voluntary perpetuation of cultural distinctiveness, which may include the
aspects of language, social organization, religion and spiritual values, modes of
production, laws and institutions;
(c) Self-identification, as well as recognition by other groups, or by State authorities,
as a distinct collectivity and
43
. At its Twenty-Seventh Session, which took place in Geneva, from March 24 to April 4, 2014, document
WIPO/GRTKF/IC/25/7, was made available as document WIPO/GRTKF/IC/27/5. The IGC developed, on the basis of
that document, a further text, The Protection of Traditional Cultural Expressions: Draft Articles Rev. 2. It decided
that this text, as at the close of its discussions on Traditional Cultural Expressions, under agenda item 7, on April 4,
2014, be transmitted to the WIPO General Assembly taking place in September 2014, subject to any agreed
adjustments or modifications arising on cross-cutting issues at the Twenty-Eighth Session of the IGC in accordance
with the IGCs mandate for 2014-2015 and the work program for 2014, as contained in document WO/GA/43/22.
44
.Supra note23, at p.86
45
. History of Indigenous Peoples and the International System, United Nations Permanent Forum On Indigenous
Issues, http://social.un.org/index/ Indigenous Peoples / (last visited Jan. 25, 2014)
46
. The Emerging International Law on Indigenous Peoples Rights: A Look at the Ethiopian Perspective Bahar abadi,
2010 LLM thesis, Addis Abeba University p.11
Page|13
(d) An experience of subjugation, marginalization, dispossession, exclusion or

discrimination, whether or not these conditions persist.47
The UN endorses the Martinez Cobo Report.48 Instead of defining it the UN opted for an
expansive definition of the term indigenous communities, peoples and nations:
Indigenous communities, peoples and nations are those which, having a historical
continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies that developed on their
territories, consider themselves distinct from other sectors of the societies now
prevailing on those territories, or parts of them. They form at present non-
dominant sectors of society and are determined to preserve, develop and transmit
to future generations their ancestral territories, and their ethnic identity, as the
basis of their continued existence as peoples, in accordance with their own
cultural patterns, social institutions and legal system.49
On the other hand the international labour organization (ILO) defines indigenous
people in convention No.107 of 1957 article 1(1) as;
members of tribal or semi- tribal populations in independent countries which

are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent from the populations
which inhabited , the country, or geographical region to which the country
belongs , at the time of conquest and which irrespective of their legal status ,
live more in conformity with the social , economic and cultural institution of
that time than with institutions of the state to which they belong.50
47
. Erica-Irene Daes, Indigenous Peoples' Rights to Land and Natural Resources, in: Nazila Ghanea & Alexandra
Xanthaki, eds., Minorities, Peoples and Self-Determination, 2005 as stated in The Emerging International Law on
Indigenous Peoples Rights: A Look at the Ethiopian Perspective Bahar abadi, 2010 LLM thesis, Addis Abeba
University p.11
48
. Martinez Cobo defines indigenous person as one who belongs to these indigenous populations through self-
identification as indigenous and recognized and accepted by these population as one of their members (see Jose
Martinez Cobo, Study of the Problem of Discrimination against Indigenous Populations, UN Doc.
E/CN.4/Sub2/1986/7, (1986-87)
49
.Veronica Gordon. Appropriation without Representation? The Limited Role Of Indigenous Groups In Wipos
Intergovernmental Committee On Intellectual Property And Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge, And Folklore
Vand. J. Ent. & Tech. L. review [Vol. 16:3:629 2014] ( p.637)
50
. ILO Convention on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries 1957(No 107) available at
http://www.un-documents.net/c169.htm
Page|14
Although all the definitions differ from each other, certain commonalities existsuch as
cultural distinctiveness, self-identification, the experience of subjugation, and an
occupation of the land prior to outside settlersthat are significant to an understanding
the term indigenous peoples.51
The Other group of people enumerated as beneficiaries of TCE are local communities.
WIPO defines local communities as the human population in a distinct ecological area
who depend directly on its biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services for all or part
of their livelihood and who have developed or acquired traditional knowledge as a result
of this dependence, including farmers, fisher folk, pastoralists, forest dwellers and
others.52 Local communities can be of indigenous descent but are not necessarily
descendants of indigenous populations. 53
Another problem which can occur in relation to the identification of owners of TCE is the
mixture of different cultures. TCEs are associated the most with the region or territory
from which particular traditional communities originate.54 Through geographical
proximity, common history, migration or displacement of the TCE custodians to new
territories, certain renditions of TCEs might well appear concurrently in different
countries.55
2.3.3. Subject Matters of TCE

What makes knowledge or cultural expressions traditional is not their antiquity: much
TK and many TCEs are not ancient or inert, but a vital, dynamic part of the lives of many
communities today.56" The adjective traditional qualifies a form of knowledge or an
expression which has a traditional link with a community: it is developed, sustained and
51
. Supra note 13, at p. 833
52
53
. Id
54
.C. Antons, The WIPO Journal, what is Traditional Cultural Expression Developing Asia, (2009), p.108
55
. Supra note 6
56
110 [available at http://www.wipo. (Dec, 1, 2003) accessed on April 20 2014
Page|15
passed on within a community, sometimes through specific customary systems of

transmission.57 What it means is that it is the relationship with the community that makes
knowledge or expressions traditional.
What is and what is not considered part of traditional cultural expressions is a complex
and subjective question, and there are no widely accepted definitions of the term. But a
working definition for the term TCE has been developed by WIPO. Accordingly
Traditional cultural expressions means productions consisting of characteristic
elements of the traditional artistic heritage developed and maintained by a community of
[name of country] or by individuals reflecting the traditional artistic expectations of such
a community, in particular:
verbal expressions, such as folk tales, folk poetry and riddles, signs, words,
symbols and indications;
musical expressions, such as folk songs and instrumental music;
expressions by actions, such as folk dances, plays and artistic forms or rituals;
whether or not reduced to a material form; and,
tangible expressions, such as: productions of folk art, in particular, drawings,
paintings, carvings, sculptures, pottery, terracotta, mosaic, woodwork, metal ware,
jewelry, basket weaving, needlework, textiles, carpets, costumes;
crafts;
musical instruments;
Architectural forms. 58
Traditional cultural expressions (or expressions of folklore) may be either intangible,

tangible or, most usually, combinations of the two an example of such a mixed
expression of folklore would be a woven rug (a tangible expression) that expresses
elements of a traditional story (an intangible expression)59
57
.Id
58
.supra note 35 pg no. 7
59
. Id
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2.3.4. Natures of TCE
As mentioned earlier its a difficult task to come up with widely accepted definition at
international level. As Alan Jabbour stated as early as 1982, the meaning of folklore is
one of the fundamental dilemmas presented by efforts to protect folklore through an
intellectual property framework.60 As such identifying the natures of TCE will help in
understanding traditional cultural expressions more. The following are some of the
natures of TCE;
They are handed down from one generation to another, either orally or by
imitation,
reflect a communitys cultural and social identity,
consist of characteristic elements of a communitys heritage,
are made by authors unknown and/or by communities and/or by individuals
communally recognized as having the right, responsibility or permission to do so,
Are often not created for commercial purposes, but as vehicles for religious and
cultural expression, and are constantly evolving, developing and being recreated
within the community.61
2.4. The Dialogue between TCE and IPRS

2.4.1. Cultural Property
TCEs are regarded as cultural properties. The term cultural property is a legal term
referencing the concept that tangible and intangible cultural products can be owned by an
individual or group, to the exclusion of all others.62
Cultural property is divided into two; tangible cultural property and intangible cultural
property. Cultural property can be tangible in the form of sacred sites and natural
landscapes, monuments, buildings, human remains, archaeological artifacts, handicrafts
and other real property that has a cultural dimension.63 On the other hand intangible
60
. Id Supra note 5
61
.United Nations Educational, Scientific And Cultural Organisation And Intellectual Property Rights Llm Paper 1
Project By : Samantha Noronha Sem Iii G.R.Kare College Of Law Margao- Gao)
62
.Supranote21at p. 5
63
.Id
Page|17
cultural property refers to intangible cultural heritage that falls within the realm of
intellectual property in the form of language, music, song, dance, ritual, customs, local
knowledge, oral narratives and literary creations.64 Sometimes cultural property can be
both tangible and intangible.
2.4.2. Public Domain

There has been much scholarly discourse on how to define the public domain. Some
scholars define the public domain as a cultural commons consisting of all the idea, facts,
65
scnes faire, and plots to which traditional copyright law has refused protection.
Other scholars have defined it as material which is merely unprotectible or
uncopyrightable.66 Others still define it in context of the rights it both confers and denies
authors and artists, both an "incentive" and an "impediment to creativity.67 The WIPO
Committee has understood it to mean the "elements of IP that are ineligible for private
ownership and the contents of which are available for use by any member of the public".
68
Traditionally, folklore and the tales of traditional communities were presumed to be in

the public domain due to the nature of folklore as being ever-changing, unfixed, and
belonging to a "common heritage.69 Now a days there is a growing calls for a
reevaluation of its public domain status particularly by indigenous and local communities
concerned by the cumulative failure of IP to provide protection to pre-existing cultural
heritage coupled with the availability of IP protection for contemporary tradition-based
cultural expressions with no corresponding mechanisms to compensate those who
preserved and developed the cultural resources.70 These indigenous and local
communities believe merely providing IP protection for contemporary, tradition-based
64
.Id
65
.Jessica Litman, The Public Domain, 39 EMORY L.J. 965, 968 (1990)
66
.Id. p. 969
67
.David Lange, Reimagining the Public Domain, 66 LAW & CONTEMP. PROBS. 463, 465-66 (2003)
68
.Supra note 56,atpar. , 110
69
. WIPO, Intergovernmental Comm. on Intellectual Prop, and Genetic Res., Traditional Knowledge, and Folklore,
Matters Concerning Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and FolkloreAn Overview,
at 4, WIPO/GRTKF/IC/1/3 (Mar. 16, 2001).
70
Page|18
cultural expressions is an inappropriate survival of the fittest approach that does not
best serve cultural diversity and cultural preservation. 71
Others on the other hand argue placing TCE in the public domain is good for the
preservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage. James Boyle is arguably the earliest
academic to express vocal opposition to the expansion of intellectual property rights.72 In
his 1996 book Shamans, Software, & Spleens he stresses the importance of the public
domain. As Boyle sees it, protecting the public domain means protecting the cultural
environment so that later generations will be able to share it.73 According to this view the
public domain status of cultural heritage plays a role as a source of creativity and
innovation, and it is argued that it is through sharing and contemporary adaptation and
arrangement that cultural heritage is kept alive and transmitted to future generations. 74
It has therefore been suggested that any protection for TCEs should strike a proper
balance between protection against abuses of TCEs and the encouragement of their
further development and dissemination, as well as individual creativity inspired by
TCEs.75
2.4.3. TCEs under the Prevailing IPRs Laws
As discussed above TCEs are intangible cultural heritages and that fall in the realm of
IPRs. Intellectual property rights are property rights. They are the domain of
properties.76In legal sense, property may be defined as an exclusive right to control, use,
transfer an object or a thing of economic importance and its fruits, exclude all other
71
.Id7,atP.14
72
.Yang, Chih-Chieh. A Comparative Study Of The Models Employed To Protect Indigenous Traditional Cultural
Expressions Asian-Pacific Law & Policy Journal [Vol. 11:2] (p.65)
73
.Id 72, at p.66
74
.consolidated analysis of traditional cultural expressions/expressions of folklore,2003, WIPO publication 785 p.14
75
. Id. 72,at 13 For example responses to WIPO questionnaire of 2001 of Canada; China; Ecuador; Kyrgystan;
Malaysia; Mexico; Republic of Korea; Romania; Switzerland; United States of America.
76
.Balew Mersha & G/Hadush Law of intellectual property , teaching material , 2009 available at chilot.
wordpress. com
Page|19
persons from its use and enjoyment and the follow the thing and its fruits in the hands of
any person who might have unlawfully taken it.77
There are different classification of property; movable and immovable, real and personal
property, corporeal and incorporeal property. IPRs belong in the incorporeal domain of
properties. Incorporeal things are things that do not have a material or physical existence,
that cannot occupy space and hence that cannot be perceived by the senses. This category
primarily include rights particularly those that have economic value and can be expressed
in terms of money.
There is keen debate amongst indigenous communities, government officials, public

negotiators and academic commentators alike over whether IPRs are appropriate for the
preservation and legal protection of TCEs.78
Some indigenous communities may consider the concept and articulation of property
rights underlying Western IP systems as inapplicable to their TK, including their
TCEs.79. Joseph Githaiga argue that modern intellectual property law regimes, which are
rapidly assuming global uniformity, have facilitated and reinforced this process of
economic exploitation and erosion of indigenous peoples' cultures. This is because they
are based on notions of property ownership which are alien and detrimental to indigenous
peoples. Liberal euro centric discourse, upon which these laws are premised, maintains
that individuals have a right to private property.80 Conversely, some communities may
see the protection of TCEs by certain forms of IPRs as consistent with their vision of
human development and sustainable livelihoods, and as a possible legal redress for third-
party copying of their TCEs for commercial purposes.81
A conceptual divide between the scope of IPRs and the nature of TCE at different levels
exists, especially with regard to individualistic vs. communal property notions.82 whether
77
. Fassil Alemayehu, Law of property teaching material, 2009 available at chilot. Wordpress.Com
78
79
. Id
80
. Githaiga, JoseIndigenous Intellectual Property Law and the Protection of Folklore and Knowledge, Volume 5,
Number 2(June 1998)
81
.Id supra note 54
82
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TCE is tangible or intangible the essential features of TCE are: first, that it is owned in
common or, at least, publicly; secondly, that the ownership rights focus on preservation,
access and the sharing of benefits associated with it; and thirdly, that the role of TCE
rights is to prevent or limit the privatization of cultural property.83 Claims to intellectual
property are, of course, quite different since they focus on a private property right. IP is
typically protected by laws that establish private property rights in creations and
innovations in order to grant control over their exploitation, particularly commercial
exploitation, and to provide incentives for further creativity.84
I. Copyright
Copyright protection is available for literary and artistic works and many TCEs for
which protection is desired are productions in the literary, scientific and artistic
domain, and therefore, in principle, constitute the actual or potential subject matter of
copyright protection.85 The notion of cultural property doesnt exist in the realm of
copyright. Rather copyright rules designate the object of protection (i.e. the authors
work) by means of definitions such as personal intellectual creation; illustrated by a list
of examples such as musical works, literary, art works etc.86 The prerequisites for
protection under copyright law for a work are; Originality, fixation, identification of
authors and duration of time.
83
. Fiona Macmillan Human rights, cultural property and intellectual property: three concepts in search of a
relationship Christoph B. Gaber and N. Burry-Neonva(Eds) Intellectual Property And Traditional Cultural
Expressions In A Digital Environment (Edward Elgar Publishing Limited(UK) & Edward Elgar Publishing,
Inc.(USA)2008)
84
.Supra note 5, at p.25
85
86
.Silke von Lewinski protecting cultural expressions: the perspective of law Erich Kasten(ed). Properties of culture
culture as property. Pathways to reform in post- soviet Siberia, (Berlin Diertrich verlag,2004, 111- 127 ) (p.113-
114)
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a) Originality
b) To qualify for copyright protection, a work must first and foremost be original.87
For TCEs the principle of originality is considered as the acid test for being
qualified for protection.88 This is because TCEs are the result of an impersonal,
continuous and slow process of creative exercised in a given community by
consecutive imitation, where as works protected by copyright must, traditionally
bear mark of individual originality.89
c) Fixation
For copyright to subsist in a work it must be fixed. It must be in writing, recorded or

reduced to material form. The problem with this requirement for TCEs is some of the
TCEs are not fixed, but are passed on orally from generation to generation. Most TCEs
such as folk music, folk dances, etc are passed from generation to generation orally
through the art of imitation and memorization and are not as such fixed in a material form
as required by the modern intellectual property laws. 90 In some cases they are not fixed
on material form on purpose to keep it a secret.
d) Authorship and Ownership

Copyright is author- centric and in the case of folklore, an author- at least in the way in
which the notion of author is conceived in the field of copyright- is absent.91 Copyright
requires for one or more authors to be identifiable. TCEs by nature are handed down from
generation to generation over a period of time and collectively owned by the community.
87
. UNESCO, the ABC of copyright, [available at http://www.unesco.org/culture/copyright ] accessed on October
12,2015
88
89
. The protection of Expressions of Folklore: The Attempts at International level Asia and the pacific, January- June
1998, no.56/57[ISSN 1014-336X, WIPO publication 435(E) paper prepared by WIPO
90
.Expressions of Folklore and its International protection The AALCO Secretariat E-66, Vasant Marg, Vasant Vihar
New Delhi 110057 (India)
91
.WIPO, The protection of Expressions of Folklore: The Attempts at International level Asia and the pacific, January-
June 1998, no.56/57[ISSN 1014-336X, publication 435(E)
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For pre-existing cultural expressions which have been communally developed for a long
time, it is much more difficult, if not impossible, to trace and identify the authors.92
e) Duration of copyright
The term of protection under copyright law is restricted to the life time of the author plus
limited period after his death. The Berne Convention and the Agreement on Trade-
Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) stipulate 50 years as
the minimum period of protection and countries of the Berne Union are free to grant a
longer term of protection.93
This aspect of copyright protection may be unfavorable to the interests of traditional

communities that continue the customary usage of folkloric works because their cultural
heritage may then be regarded as part of the public domain after only a short period of
protection.94 In addition the limited duration of copyright protection raises the temporal
variable. Traditional communities have a continued interest in their expressions of
folklore beyond the life of the author(s) plus a fixed period.95
In 2001, WIPO conducted an international study on legal protection of expressions of

folklore at the national level, and received responses from 64 states. 96The survey showed
92
.Kuek Chee Ying Journal of Malaysian and Comparative Law Protection of Expressions of Folklore/Traditional
Cultural Expressions: to what extent is copyright law the solution? (2005)
93
.See Berne Convention (Paris Act), Arts 7(2), (3) and (6); TRIPS, Art 12. Berne Convention (Paris Act), Arts 7(2),
(3) and (6); TRIPS, Art 12
94
.Supra note 5 p.29
95
.Id
96
. countries provide protection in the framework of their copyright laws (Tunisia, 1967 and 1994; Bolivia, 1968 and
1992; Chile, 1970; Iran, 1970; Morocco, 1970; Algeria, 1973; Senegal, 1973; Kenya, 1975 and 1989; Mali, 1977;
Burundi, 1978; Cte dIvoire, 1978; Sri Lanka, 1979; Guinea, 1980; Barbados, 1982; Cameroon, 1982; Colombia,
1982; Congo, 1982; Madagascar, 1982; Rwanda, 1983; Benin, 1984; Burkina Faso, 1984; Central African Republic,
1985; Ghana, 1985; Dominican Republic, 1986; Democratic Republic of Congo, 1986; Indonesia, 1987; Nigeria,
1988 and 1992; Lesotho, 1989; Malawi, 1989; Angola, 1990; Togo, 1991; Niger, 1993; Panama, 1994). The 1990
Copyright Law of China indicates that it is the intention to protect expressions of folklore by copyright but Article 6 of
the Law only provides that [r]egulations for the protection of copyright in expressions of folklore shall be established
by the State Council. The 1994 Copyright Ordinance of Viet Na m contains a similar provision: Protection of
copyright granted to folklore works shall be prescribed by the Government.)
Page|23
that protections vary widely and that copyright law is difficult to apply to protection of
folklore in many countries.97 Certain contemporary expressions may indeed meet the
copyright criteria, like tangible contemporary expressions of folklore such as traditional
folkoric designs expressed in previously unknown or unused media.98 However ,
copyright as a genuinely individual right, rewarding personal creativity with a monopoly
limited in time, may not in all cases prove to be the suitable framework for protection.99
There are Certain Folkloric works that will not benefit from protection o copyright laws
such as ancient cave paintings (Due to the absence of an identifiable author and the
limited duration of copyright protection), contemporary folkoric works closely associated
with an ongoing tradition, such as expressions associated with traditional rites and
ceremonies(Due to the possible absence of originality.); and intangible contemporary
expressions of folklore, such as unrecorded modern folk stories, song and dance.100 As
Janice pointed out,
A major challenge to the protection of TCEs stems from the fact that the copyright
system, grounded in a western Eurocentric worldview that places emphasis on
individuality and onmaterial aspects of property, does not easily extend to many types of
traditional and indigenous creations. For a number of reasons traditional copyright
protection is not well suited to TCEs as works or expressions that are traditionally
unpublished, often not fixed in tangible medium, created not by one individual known
author but collectively, and created not on a certain date butover time.101
Copyright laws may also provide protection for another set of interests, of a more
personal nature, which are commonly called the moral rights of authors. These rights
allow the authors to claim authorship in their works as well as respect for their integrity
102
Article 6bis of the Berne Convention recognizes moral rights as giving authors the
right to claim authorship of the work and to object to any distortion, mutilation or other
modification of, or other derogatory action in relation to, the said work, which would be
97
.Supra note 32
98
. Id
99
. Supra note 85 at p. 25
100
. Id 33.p.30
101
. Janice T. Pilch Issue Brief on Traditional Cultural Expression Library Copyright Alliance university of Illinois
(September 1, 2009)
102
Page|24
prejudicial to his honor or reputation (emphasis added). Moral rights therefore, protect
creators rights of;
(a) Attribution; The attribution right is the creators right to be identified as the
creator of a work (also called the identification right). It may be useful in the
authentication of folkloric works by allowing consumers to more readily identify
genuine folkloric products and therefore reduce the demand for imitations.103
(b) Integrity over their work; the integrity right which protects the reputation of
creators may address the anxiety over the inappropriate use of expressions of
folklore by preventing distortion, alteration or misrepresentation of creators
works. This may provide redress against culturally inappropriate treatment of
expressions of folklore.104
(c) Publication including retraction; the publication right is the creators right to
decide when, where and in what form a work will be published. It may be
effective in providing creators of folklore with a degree of control over the
publication or disclosure of sacred works and thus reduce the possibility of
inappropriate use.105
However, the moral right protection of TCEs face the same problem as the authors right
protection with regard to originality, fixation, identifiable authors and the time limitation.
II. Neighboring Right Laws
Neighboring rights, also called related rights, are commonly understood to designate the
rights granted to protect persons, other than the authors of works, who are involved in the
dissemination of copyrighted works106 such as: Performers; Producers of sound
recordings and broadcasting organizations. Under this law only performers; producers
and broadcasting organisation of traditional cultural expressions are protected not the
103
.Report On The International Protection Of Expressions Of Folklore Under Intellectual Property Law Stephen
Palethorpe and Stefaan Verhuls October 2000)
104
.ibid
105
.ibid
106
. The ABC of copyright, UNESCO culture sector available at http://www.unesco. Org/culture/copyright
Page|25
indigenous people. Theoretically, none of the persons or organisations associated with

performers, record producers and broadcasters, produces original works; they simply
interpret record or transmit the works of others.107 This kind of IP protection offers an
indirect protection to TCEs.
The problem with the protection of TCEs through performers right is that the protection
is beneficial only for those who perform TCEs and not the indigenous people that created
it. There may be cases where the performer is from the indigenous community who
crated it however the community will not be beneficial as a whole. More over the criteria
of fixation, originality, and duration imposed up on performers, producers of sound
recordings and broadcasting organizations will be an obstacle for their protection.
III. Trade Marks

A trademark is basically a sign indicating trade origin of goods and services. This
distinctive sign can be owned (as a form of IP) by one or more individuals, one or more
business organizations or any other legal entity.108 According to Article 15.1 of the
TRIPs Agreement: Any sign, or any combination of signs, capable of distinguishing the
goods or services of one undertaking from those of other undertakings, shall be capable
of constituting a trademark. The trade mark system can help indigenous communities
benefit from the branding of their TCEs, and protect their economic interests in those
TCEs by allowing the registration of distinctive indigenous names, signs or symbols.109
Trademarks may be particularly useful in the form of so- called collective marks and (as
a special form of a collective mark) certification marks, because collective marks
correspond to the collective nature of TCEs.110 For example Australia, Canada, New
Zealand and Portugal have used trademarks, particularly certification marks, to ensure the
authenticity and quality of indigenous arts and crafts. The disadvantages for TCEs are the
107
.supra note 5 at p.32
108
. Supra note 6
109
. Daphne Zografos Johnsson The Branding of Traditional Cultural Expressions: To Whose Introduction Benefit?
paper presented at Trade, Intellectual property and the Knowledge Assets of indigenous peoples: the development of
frontier conference at Victoria University of Wellington, (8-10 December 2010) p.155
110
. Supra note 84
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requirement of formalities in registering and renewing trademarks as well as opposition

and invalidation proceedings.111
IV. Geographical Indication
A geographical indication identifies a good as originating in a territory or region, or

locality in that territory, where a given quality, reputation, or other characteristic of the
good is attributable to its geographical origin. 112 It is a sign used on products that have a
specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that
origin.113
.
The laws on geographical indications are better suited to the protection of expressions of
folklore because they can be assigned to a territory rather than a natural or legal
person.114 Furthermore GIs are sustainable over a long period of time, even into perpetuity
for as long as a particular method of production is maintained. A GI is also not reliant on
115
concepts such as novelty or originality, like patent or copyright systems are. And an
entitlement is created that permits the holders of the right to protect not only a sign, but
also a connection with or even paternity to the product that is the TCE.116
V. Industrial Design
The aesthetic features of a functional product are protected under industrial design laws;
such an article may consist of two dimensional or three dimensional features.117 Design
rights can be based on creation or on registration, and confer exclusive rights to the
111
. Dionyssia Kallinikou Protection of traditional cultural expressions or expressions of folklore Paper presented for
the conference "Can Oral History Make Objects Speak?", Nafplion, Greece. (2005)< Available at http://icme.icom.
Museum> accessed on October 13 2014
112
. Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPs), 1994, Art. 22.
113
. WIPO, Geographical Indications, an Introduction, WIPO Intellectual Property Handbook, Publication No. 489
(E), 2004).
114
. Supra note 61 p.4
115
.Anselm Kamperman Sanders Incentives for and Protection of Cultural Expression: Art, Trade and Geographical
Indications The Journal of World Intellectual Property (2010) Vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 8193
116
. Id
117
. George Mandewo and Fatma Khalfan. The Scope Of Protection For African Traditional Art And Designs: Is It
Realistic Or Just A Fallacy?
Page|27
owner of the design. The duration of protection available for design rights amounts to at
least 10 years. In some jurisdictions this period may even be longer.118 The owner of a
protected design has the right to prevent third parties from reproducing, selling or
importing articles which embody the same or similar design to that of the protected
design119
There are problems in applicability of industrial design law with regards to TCEs. The
novelty and originality criteria are difficult to reconcile with the nature of expressions of
folklore, since they can date back hundreds of years. The duration is also limited120 and
differing national approaches to the question of design protection resulting in a lack of
uniform design protection at the international level create considerable uncertainty for
traditional communities.121
In general the conventional IP system has been identified by some as not only inadequate
to comprehensively and appropriately protect TCEs but also as positively harmful, in
some respects.122 First, IP rules exclude most TCEs as such from protection, relegating
123
them to an unprotected public domain. Second, follow-on creations derived from
TCEs may receive protection as new IP, giving the right owners (whoever they may
be) exclusive rights to determine the conditions under which third parties (including the
TCE-holding communities themselves) may use the TCE.124 Furthermore, the types of
rights provided by current IP law and the nature of the rights conferred do not reflect
customary laws, values and protocols associated with TCEs.125
As a result, many stakeholders call for new sui generis systems to protect TCEs, i.e.,
special or standalone systems which would address TCE issues particularly.126
118
. Article 26.3 of TRIPS Agreement of 1994
119
. Article 26.1 of TRIPS Agreement of 1994
120
121
122
. Molly Torsen And Jane Anderson Intellectual Property And The Safeguarding Of Traditional Culture; Legal
Issues And Practical Options For Museums ,Libraries And Archives, 2010 p16
123
.Id
124
.Id
125
.Id
126
.Supra Note 64.P.17
Page|28
CHAPTER THREE
3.1. Conceptual Underpinnings of TCEs; Protection and

Commercialization
3.1.1. Protection
I. What is protection?
Indigenous People seek protection from corporations and individuals that have for many
years been taking traditional knowledge, cultural expressions and genetic resources that
originated among specific tribal or ethnic groups127 to then turn them into copyrighted or
patented works owned, not by the people who originated them but by those who market
and distribute them to the world.128 Protection can mean different things, depending on
the context in which the term is used. World`` Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
has used it in the context Protection of the creativity and distinctiveness inherent in
TCEs against unauthorized or illegitimate use by third parties, including commercial
misappropriation, misuse, misrepresentation and use that is derogatory or offensive.129
Protection is different from preservation or safeguarding, which are the

identification, documentation, transmission, revitalization and promotion of knowledge
and cultural heritage in order to ensure its maintenance or viability.130 The objective, in
that case, is to make sure that the TK or TCEs do not disappear, are lost or degrade, and
to ensure that they are maintained and promoted.131
II. Objectives of Protection

The way in which a protection system is shaped and defined will depend to a large extent
on the objectives it is intended to serve132 . A key initial step, therefore, of the

127
.SeegenerallySupra note 56
128
.Id
129
. Pamela Andanda Striking a balance between Intellectual Property Protection of Traditional Knowledge, Cultural
Preservation and Access to Knowledge (Series 2 / 2012)
130
. Id at 1.p.14
131
. Id
132
. WIPO; The protection of TCEs/EOF revised objective and principles document prepared by the secretariat
Sixteenth session WIPO/Gtkf/Ic/16/4 May3-7, 2010
Page|29

development of any legal regime or approach for the protection of TCEs/EoF is to
determine relevant policy objectives. According to the new draft law prepared by the IGC
protection of TCEs should aim to;
Recognize that owners of TCEs consider their cultural heritage to have intrinsic
value, including social, cultural, spiritual, economic, scientific, intellectual,
commercial and educational values, and acknowledge that traditional cultures and
folklore constitute frameworks of innovation and creativity that benefit
indigenous peoples and traditional and other cultural communities, as well as
humanity.
promote respect for traditional cultures and folklore, and for the dignity, cultural
integrity, and the philosophical, intellectual and spiritual values of the peoples and
communities that preserve and maintain expressions of these cultures and
folklore
meet the actual needs of communities be guided by the aspirations and
expectations expressed directly by indigenous peoples and communities and by
traditional and other cultural communities, respect their rights under national and
international law, and contribute to the welfare and sustainable economic,
cultural, environmental and social development of such peoples and communities
prevent the misappropriation and misuse of TCEs provide owners of TCEs with
the legal and practical means, including effective enforcement measures, to
prevent the misappropriation of their cultural expressions and derivatives there
from, and ways in which they are used beyond the customary and traditional
context and promote the equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use;
Support customary practices and community cooperation respect the continuing
customary use, development, exchange and transmission of TCEs by, within and
between communities;
contribute to the preservation and safeguarding of the environment in which
traditional cultural expressions/expressions of folklore are generated and
maintained, for the direct benefit of indigenous peoples and communities and
Page|30
traditional and other cultural communities, and for the benefit of humanity in
general
Encourage community innovation and creativity, promote intellectual and artistic
freedom research practices and cultural exchanges
where so desired by indigenous peoples and communities and traditional and
other cultural communities and their members, promote the use of traditional
cultural expressions/expressions of folklore for the development of indigenous
peoples and communities and traditional and other cultural communities,
recognizing them as an asset of the communities that identify with them, such as
through the development and expansion of marketing opportunities for tradition-
based creations and innovations
preclude the grant, exercise and enforcement of intellectual property rights
acquired by unauthorized parties over traditional cultural expressions/expressions
of folklore133
III. Types of Protection

Protection of TCEs is of two types; defensive protection and positive protection.
a) Positive protection
Under positive protection the IP systems is designed to enable holders, if they so wish, to
acquire and assert IP rights in their TK and TCEs.134 This can allow them to prevent
unwanted, unauthorized or inappropriate uses by third parties (including culturally
offensive or demeaning use) and/or to exploit TK/TCEs commercially, for example
through the granting of licenses, as a contribution to their economic development.135 In
brief, positive protection is the granting of rights that empowers communities to promote
their TK/ TCEs, control their uses by third parties and benefit from their commercial
exploitation.136

133
. The Protection Of Traditional Cultural Expressions/ Expressions Of Folklore: Revised Objectives And Principles
March 22, 2010
134
135
.Id
136
. Id
Page|31

B) Defensive protection
The term defensive protection, refers to measures aimed at preventing the acquisition of
IP rights over TCEs by parties other than the customary custodians of the knowledge or
resources.137 In defensive protection the IP system is designed to prevent the illegitimate
acquisition or maintaining of IP rights by third parties. Stated otherwise, defensive
protection aims to stop people outside the community from acquiring IP rights over TK
and TCEs.138 Demands for the disclosure of origin and geographical indicators are
examples of defensive protection.139
In general, the legal protection of TCEs should be considered in an inclusive policy

context, and not as an end in itself. Further WIPO, has stressed that protection of TCEs
should be undertaken in a comprehensive manner, potentially using both positive and
defensive forms of protection. Defensive protection is no substitute for positive
protection, and should not be mistaken for the acquisition and active exercise of rights in
the protected material. Often, the active assertion of rights (positive protection) is
necessary to prevent the unauthorized or illegitimate use of TCEs.140
3.1.2. Commercialization
Today, TCEs are considered as cultural properties and as such can be commercialized in
the market. Tradition-based innovations and creations, which are important parts of a
communitys heritage and cultural patrimony, can act as inputs into other markets, such
as entertainment, art, tourism, architecture, and fashion.141 However, TCEs are being
commercialized by big corporation that doesnt belong to the community. In most cases,
the communities who were the custodians or preservers of the EoF/TCEs do not enjoy the
137
. Shakeel T. Bhatti Intellectual property and traditional knowledge: the work and the role of the world intellectual
property organization (WIPO),(2004)
138
. Supra note .10.p.10
139
. Supra note 39 p.2
140
. Shakeel T. Bhatti Intellectual property and traditional knowledge: the work and the role of the world intellectual
property organization (WIPO),(2004)
141
. Supra note 5 p.13
Page|32
economic benefit or share the returns from such unauthorised exploitation by persons not
belonging to the communities. 142
Commercial exploitation of folklore by outsiders has been viewed as a threat to cultural

heritage mainly in the developing countries.143 They perceive the commercial
exploitation of folklore outside their community, without adequate recompense, as a
moral, cultural and economic wrong.144 Conversely, the perception of some of the
developed countries in this regard is that since TCEs have fallen into public domain and
are outside the purview of protection they can be taken freely and commercialized
without benefiting the community. For example, according to an Australian report,
published by the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
It has been estimated that the indigenous visual arts and crafts industry has a turnover of
approximately US$130 million in Australia, of which indigenous people receive only
approximately US$30 million in returns.145
In addition to the above mentioned problem identifying the owners of particular TCEs so
that they can be authorized to collect the royalty for TCEs has become a difficult task.
Different approaches have been implemented by different nations. They can appoint a
certain body or the community concerned could be given an authorization. For example,
in Congo, a society known as the Body of Author is responsible for collecting royalties.
The Body represents the interests of authors, and oversees the use of folklore,146 which is
regarded as part of the national heritage.147 And under Mali law, all persons seeking to
use folklore for profit purposes must obtain prior authorization from the Minister of Arts
and Culture who may impose a fee for such use148
142
. see generally Supra note 90, at p. 3
143
. Mrs. P.v. valsala & G. Kutty National experiences with the protection of Expressions of folklore/ traditional
cultural Expressions: India, Indonesia and the Philippines, p.5
144
. Id
145
. Report of the Contemporary Visual Arts and Craft Inquiry, Australia, 2002, pages 116 and 135
146
. Copyright and Neighboring Rights Laws of Congo (July 7, 1982) Art. 68-69
147
. Id., Art. 15.
148
. Ordinance Concerning Literary and Artistic Property laws of Mali (July 1, 1977 ) art. 8
Page|33
Furthermore, identifying for what purpose the collected fee must be used is also a
difficult task. The WIPO/UNESCO model provisions Offer a choice between promoting
or safeguarding national folklore or prompting national culture or leave the choice to the
community to decide the use of the collected fees. In Ghana "any sums of money
accruing from the use of folklore shall be paid into a fund established by the Secretary
and shall be used for the promotion for institutions for the benefit of authors, performers
and translators 149
3.3. Alternatives for protection of TCEs
Beside the conventional IPRs systems different alternatives are suggested by scholars
either to fill in the gap that existed in the IPRs laws or a completely new approach to
govern TCEs.
3.3.1. Sui generis systems

There are two approaches on the appropriate law to protect TCEs. The first approach is
that the existing IPRs systems are adequate to protect TCEs. Proponents of this approach
argue the existing IPRs laws have rooms to afford protection for TCEs. On the other hand
there are others who argue the existing IPRs dont take into account the special features
of TCEs. Proponents of this approach call for a new sue generis system. A sui generis
system is a system specifically designed to address the needs and concerns of a particular
issue.150
Any country willing to establish sue generis system should include the following
elements in the system ; clearly put the policy objectives of the intended protection,
clearly define what is to be covered, the criteria to be satisfied for coverage, specify
rights and the terms and conditions for the exercise of such rights. It would be necessary
to state how and when rights arise, what would obligate the recognition of such rights,
149
.Ghana Copyright, Law, 17/05/2005, No. 690. May 17, 2005. http://www.wipo.int/clea/en/details.jsp?id=1789 Act
690
Art. 5 (4)
150
Page|34
how the rights would be administered, enforced, transferred and acquired, and if and how
they may be extinguished.151
There are different sue generis system that exist for the protection of TCEs ; the Tunis Model
Law on Copyright for Developing Countries, 1976, WIPO-UNESCO Model Provisions
for National Laws on the Protection of Expressions of Folklore Against Illicit
Exploitation and Other Prejudicial Actions, 1982, Bangui Agreement on the Creation of
an African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), as revised in 1999; U.S.A. Indian
Arts and Crafts Act, 1990 and Enforcement Act, 2000, Special Intellectual Property
Regime Governing the Collective Rights of Indigenous Peoples for the Protection and
Defence of their Cultural Identity and their Traditional Knowledge of Panama, 2000 and
the related Executive Decree of 2001 and Pacific Regional Framework for the Protection
of Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Culture, 2002. The WIPO-UNESCO model
provisions and the Tunis model law will be discussed below.
3.3.2. Customary Laws

Today there is an increasing recognition of the relevance of customary law for the
protection of genetic resources, traditional knowledge and cultural expressions.152 Some
indigenous people consider IPRs as inappropriate instruments for the protection of their
TCE. Thus they call for the use of customary laws to protect their TCEs. Indigenous
representatives have reiterated that indigenous heritage must be protected in accordance
with the concerned peoples own legal practices and customs. On the 6th session meeting
of the IGCs the representatives of the indigenous and local groups called for a greater
recognition of customary laws.153 As a result WIPO has decided to conduct a study on the
relevance of customary legal systems for the protection of traditional knowledge and
cultural expressions154.
151
. Ajeet Mathur Missing Markets In World Trade the Case For Sui Generis Protection of Traditional Knowledge
Working Paper No. 141 August 2004 p.73 available at www.icrier . res. Accessed on February 3,2014 p.73
152
. Supra note 39 p.6
153
.the WIPO intergovernmental committee on intellectual property and genetic resources, traditional knowledge and
folklore convenes under its renewed mandate January march 2004 (BULLETIN).
154
.Id.96. p.4
Page|35
Customary law consists of the indigenous customs of traditional communities. Every

ethnic group in the world has evolved its own discrete customary legal system of rules
that are binding on its members. Unlike ordinary social habits and observances, the rules
carry along with them local sanctions for their breach.155 The application of community-
specific indigenous customary law allows for a flexible solution that rejects the one-size-
fits all approach. Indigenous people want to take control over their cultural expressions
and define how these expressions can be used. The application of indigenous customary
law will allow them to do so156. It has been suggested that, for example, traditional forms
of ownership be recognized and used within the context of the formal intellectual
property system to determine who the "author" of a cultural expression is, or at least who
is an owner and entitled to exercise control over it.157
Though the application of customary law for the protection of TCEs has its benefits it has
also its own problems. As Kuruk pointed out customary law relies on norms and
sanctions that seem to make sense only to members of ethnic groups. Within the groups,
there is pressure to recognize and respect the rights and privileges associated with
folklore in the common interests of members of the community. However, many of the
individuals engaged in the unauthorized use of folklore are foreigners; they may not have
158
the incentive to respect the norms in the interest of the general community.
Furthermore for the most part, the rules are unwritten159 and as a result it would be
difficult to ascertain the customary laws. It is also difficult to implement and enforce
customary laws at the international level.
3.4. Recording and Documentation

Documentation of traditional knowledge (TK) and traditional cultural expressions (TCEs)
has attracted increasing attention in recent years from governments and cultural
155
. Paul Kuruk African customary law and the protection of folklore Copyright Bulletin vol xxxvI, No.2, (2002)
156
. Supra note 13 p. 210
157
.Id p.211
158
. Supra note 153
159
.ibid
Page|36
institutions as well as from indigenous peoples and local communities.160 Countries like
Thailand (Folk Performances of Thailand) and USA (Cultural Stories database) have
already started the documentation process.
Recordings and documentation of TCEs plays a great role in Safeguarding and

preservation and Protection of secret and sacred TCEs. It can also help in research and
development of TCEs. However, the very process of preservation of traditional cultural
expressions through documentation can trigger concerns about their lack of legal
protection against misappropriation and misuse.161 Communities fear the very act of
documenting communities traditional expressions can lead to misappropriation as it will
be displayed for the public. For example Preservation efforts through the documentation
of TCEs, particularly digitalization can make them more accessible and vulnerable to
uses that are against the wishes of their holders.162 Recording and Documentation has
many implications for IP protection of TCEs;
It may contradict the oral, intangible and living nature of many TCEs because
TCEs are often intangible and orally maintained requiring some form of prior
documentation and/or registration in order to establish IP rights is contrary to their
nature;
the copyright that may vest in the documentation and recordings may not vest in
the communities themselves under copyright law and, in any event, extends only
to the ways in which the TCEs are expressed and not to the values, meanings and
other ideas connoted by the TCEs;
if they are made available in digitized form, it makes the TCEs more accessible
and available and may undermine the efforts of communities to protect them;
160
.Documentation of traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions background brief No.9 The
WIPO/TK documentation toolkit: www.wipo.int/tk/en/resources/tkdocumentation.html
161
. Wend Wendland. Intangible Cultural Heritage: Safeguarding Executive Summary and Inventory-Making
Methodologies, draft Paper prepared for the Sub-regional Experts Meeting in Asia 2005
162
110 (Dec, 1, 2003 p 15) .
Page|37
And there are costs involved in documenting and recording TCEs163
However, there are three areas worth pursuing that may justify the documentation/record
of TCEs as a strategy for positive protection: the use of software and digital rights
management tools; the protection available for collections and databases; and, the
harmonization of industrial property documentation standards with cultural heritage
documentation standards.164
3.5. International Foras, International & regional Initiatives and

National Experiences for the protection of TCEs
3.5. 1. International Foras
At the international level WIPO and UNESCO are the most important foras for
protection and promotion of TCEs.
a. UNESCO
Unlike the WIPO initiatives UNESCOs initiatives on cultural diversity and intangible
cultural heritage are concerned with safeguarding public interests rather than private
ones165. Different initiatives have been made by this organization on this issue the
following are the major ones.
In 1982, UNESCO, together with WIPO, developed Model Provisions for National
Laws on the Protection of Expressions of Folklore against Illicit Exploitation and Other
Prejudicial Actions (UNESCO-WIPO Model Provisions), a sui generis model for the IP
type protection of TCE. In 1989, the UNESCO general conference adopted a
163
. Supra note 35 p.20
164
. Supra note 1 p.69
165
.Christoph Beat Graber. Traditional Cultural Expressions in a Matrix of Copyright, Cultural Diversity and Human
Rights, paper presented at the Workshop Copyright, Corporate Power and Human Rights, organised at the Birkbeck
School of Law, University of London ( January 2006)
Page|38
recommendation on the safeguarding of traditional culture and folklore166. The

recommendations provided guidelines for identification, conservation, preservation,
dissemination, and protection of expressions of folklore through international
cooperation167.
UNESCO adopted two conventions of interest to the topic of this paper, namely the
Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (CICH) in 2003168,
and the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural
Expressions (CDCE) in 2005169. It is noteworthy that neither the CICH nor the CDCE
addresses IP-related questions170.The UNESCO policies also have several shortcomings;
The CDCE does not impose great responsibilities or binding commitments on the
signatory States.
The CDCE does not appear to consider TCE to be an issue of major importance.
With regard to the CICH, the drawing up of lists enumerating precisely what the
important intangible heritage is, presupposes that this heritage has been identified
and fixed. However, in many cases of misappropriated TCE a lack of fixation was
at the core of the conflict.
The documentation of TCE may be detrimental for those indigenous peoples who
want to keep their heritage secret.171
b. WIPO
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a UN specialized agency that
promotes the protection of intellectual property worldwide172. After the 1982 model
provision in 1984, WIPO and UNESCO convened a group of experts to develop an
166
. Meeting of The General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in
Paris from October 17 to November 16, 1989 at its twenty-fifth session, [available at
http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-] accessed on July 20,2014
167
. Id
168
. The CICH entered into force 20 April 2006. At present, 78 States are party to this convention
169
. The CDCE entered into force 18 March 2007. At present, 64 States and the European Community are parties to
this convention.
170
171
. ibid
172
.WIPO Leaflet No. 12: WIPO and Indigenous Peoples www.wipo. Leaflet No12
Page|39
international treaty protecting expressions of folklore. Although the experts managed to

prepare a draft treaty based on the Model Provisions of 1982 the majority of the
participants believed that it was premature to establish an international treaty on the
subject173. In 1997, the WIPOUNESCO World Forum on the Protection of Folklore took
place in Phuket, Thailand174. After that in 19981999, WIPO carried out numerous fact-
finding missions on IP issues related to TK and TCE, which involved a wide range of
stakeholders, including indigenous and local communities, non-governmental
175
organizations, governments, researchers and private industry . The quest was to find an
appropriate find an appropriate legal framework for regulation of folkloric expressions.
In 2000, the 26th Session of the General Assembly of WIPO established the IGC, a
special body mandated to address IP issues related to genetic resources, TK and
folklore176.The IGC has worked towards formulating a framework that addresses
concerns shared by both developing countries and indigenous communities in developed
countries177. In 2014 a revised provisions for the protection of TCE/EOF, policy
objectives and core principles were adopted by the committee178. It incorporates policy
objectives, general guiding principles and specific substantive principles for recognizing
TCEs as cultural intellectual creative assets of communities. It also provides the basis for
173
.WIPO, Final Report on National Experiences with the Legal Protection of Expressions of Folklore (2002)
http://www.wipo.int/meetings/en/doc_details.jsp? doc_id=2055 accessed on July 7 2014
174
. Id paragraphs 223
175
.WIPO, Intellectual Property Needs and Expectations of Traditional Knowledge Holders, Report on Fact-finding
Missions on Intellectual Property and Traditional Knowledge (19981999), Geneva: WIPO, April 2001
176
. WIPO-GA, 2000b: Report of the 26th Session of the WIPO General Assembly, 25 September to 3 October 2000,
WIPO-document WO/GA/26/10(October 2000)
http://www.wipo.int/documents/en/document/govbody/wo_gb_ga/pdf/ga26_10.pdf,)
177
. The Gap Between Indigenous Peoples Demands And Wipos Framework On Traditional Knowledge, A
Publication of The Centre for International Environmental Law available at
http://www.org/publications/WIPO_gap_sept07. pdf
178
. Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and
Folklore (2010), available at http://www.wipo.int/edocs/mdocs/tk/en/
Page|40
cultural and communal authors to make claims in all areas of IP law179. Some of the
highlights of the draft article are the following;
In the current draft article there is no description of the subject matter itself i.e. TCEs.
Article 2 describes only the subject matter covered by the provisions. Paragraph (a) sets
the substantive criteria which specify more precisely which of those expressions would
be protectable. The more precise delimitation of TCEs/EoF that are eligible for protection
under a specific legal measure are not given in the document.
The draft law has also put additional criterias in order to get protection. According to Article 1 of
the draft article the TCEs should be;
a) Created or generated expressed and maintained, in a collective context, by

indigenous peoples and local communities or nations whether they are widely
spread or not
b) the unique product of directly linked with distinctively associated with the cultural
and or social identity and cultural heritage of indigenous peoples and local
communities or nations
c) transmitted from generation to generation, whether consecutively or not;
d) that have been used for a term as has been determined by each Member State
Contracting Party but not less than 50 years
e) the result of creative intellectual activity creative activity of the intellect
f) Which are dynamic and evolving180.
The draft law still did not address the issue of ownership. It uses the term beneficiaries
instead of owners. Article 2 reads as follows;
Beneficiaries of protection are indigenous peoples and local communities and/or nations
and nations that are custodians for the beneficiaries as provided for in Paragraph 3 who
created, express, maintain, use and/ or develop the subject matter traditional cultural
expressions as part of their collective cultural or social identity meeting the criteria for
eligibility defined in this instrument or as determined by national law
179
.Id
180
.The Protection of Traditional Cultural Expressions: Draft Articles Rev. 2 (April 4, 2014,) Art 1
Page|41
Article 3 deals with the misappropriation and misuse of TCEs of the draft provision is
intended to address kinds of IP- related uses and appropriations of TCEs/EoF which most
often cause concern to indigenous and local communities and other custodians and
holders of TCEs/EoF181. This article calls on member states to take measures for the
protection of both sacred and non sacred TCEs. The measures include equitable
remuneration rights and a mix of legal and practical measures.
The exceptions provided under the draft article for which the utilization doesnt require
authorization from the authoring community are taken from Model Provisions, 1982, the
Pacific Islands Model Law, 2002 .Those exceptions are; for learning, teaching and research
(for non profit-making or non commercial purposes) for preservation, display , research
and presentation in archives, libraries, museums or other cultural institutions, for non-
commercial cultural heritage or other purposes in the public interest and for the creation
of an original work182 . Protection of TCEs lasts as long as the traditional cultural expressions
fulfill/satisfy the criteria of eligibility for protection put under article 1.183. The suggested
provision embodies a trademark- like emphasis on current use, so that once the community that
the TCE is characteristic of no longer uses the TCE or no longer exists as a distinct protection for
the TCE would lapse184.
With regards to whether or not formalities should be put as a prerequisite for protection
two interests has to be considered .It has been suggested that the acquisition and
maintenance of protection should be practically feasible, especially from the point of
view of traditional communities, and not create excessive administrative burdens for right
holders or administrators alike. Equally important, is the need, expressed by several
stakeholders such as external researchers and other users of TCEs/EOF, for certainty and
181
WIPO. The protection of TCEs/EOF revised objective and principles document prepared by the secretariat.
Sixteenth session May3-7, 2010
182
. Supra note 178, Art. 5
183
. Id Art 6
184
. Supra note 179 annex ,page 34
Page|42
transparency in their relations with communities185. The new draft law leaves this option to
member states; they can either put formalities for the protection of traditional cultural
expressions or they can protect the TCEs up on creation186
3.5.2. International Initiatives
a. Berne convention (Stockholm revisions (1967)
One of the significant developments in public international law has been the Berne
convention. Before the Berne convention, there were no references to folklore in any
international instruments187. At the 1967 Stockholm Diplomatic conference a proposal
was made by the Indian delegation to include works of folklore in the enumeration of
"literary and artistic works" in Article 2(1) 188 At the Conference the following provision
were included in the Stockholm Act of the Convention, and retained in the revision
adopted in Paris in 1971: Article 15.4(a) reads as follows;
In the case of unpublished works where the identity of the author is unknown, but
where there is every ground to presume that he is a national of a country of the
Union, it shall be a matter for legislation in that country to designate the
competent authority which shall represent the author and shall be entitled to
protect and enforce his rights in the countries of the Union
Sub article (a) of this article suggests in order for a work to get protection the three
cumulative conditions must be fulfilled. These conditions are the work has to be
unpublished, the author has to be unknown and there should be a ground to presume that
the author is a national of a country of the Union. Member states are given the right to
designate competent authorities to that represent the owner of the right so that it can
185
. Id
186
. Id
187
. Rajat Rana Indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights ,Journal of Intellectual property rights Vol 11,
(march 2006) , PP 132-139,
188
.Expressions of Folklore and its International protection The AALCO Secretariat E-66, Vasant Marg, Vasant
Vihar New Delhi 110057 (India)
Page|43
protect and enforce the right. Until now only India had implemented the provision by
notifying WIPO about its designated competent authority189.
This article is however is difficult to apply for the protection of TCEs because first,
folklore is not specifically mentioned in the amendment; it is not altogether clear how the
amendment applies to folklore.190 Second, it may be difficult to apply the amendment to
folklore, which usually involves communal rights, because the amendment is phrased in
terms of individual rights.191
Article 15(4) according to the intentions of the revision conference, implies the
possibility of granting protection for TCEs. However in terms of providing protection for
folklore it is largely redundant because the Article commits Member States to very
little. For the Article to have any effect Member States must enact domestic legislation
that protects folklore. Only if a states national copyright legislation includes folklore can
the state seek international copyright protection under the Berne convention. Moreover,
even if a state does protect folklore, Lucas-Schloetter suggests that the adoption of Art.15
(4)(b) is optional [] in the sense that the countries of the Union are at liberty to
designate a competent authority responsible for protecting their own folklore or not.
Another problem identified with the Stockholm Revisions is that no term of protection is
specified for folklore. As such, Lucas-Schloetter suggests that if a work or collection of
folklore is published the rules for anonymous and pseudonymous works must apply by
analogy that is to say that a period of 50 years starting from publication must apply. As
discussed earlier folklore evolves through time passing down from generation to
generation as result communities seek perpetual protection.
b) The Rome Convention (indirect protection)

The Rome Convention requires contracting states to afford protection, inter alia, to
performers which shall include the possibility of preventing unauthorised broadcasting
189
.Christoph Antons, Asian Borderlands and the Legal Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural
Expressions (2013) Modern Asian Studies 1408 p. 47
190
. Paul Kuruk Protecting Folklore Under Modern Intellectual Property Regimes: A Reappraisal Of The Tensions
Between Individual And Communal Rights In Africa And The United States
191
.ibid
Page|44
and communication to the public of their performance, except in the case of

rebroadcasting or use of a fixation;192 unauthorised fixation of their live performance193
and unauthorised reproduction of a fixation of their performance.
However, under Article 3(a) of the Rome Convention, the word "performers" means
"actors, singers, musicians, dancers, and other persons who act, sing, deliver, declaim,
play in, or otherwise perform literary or artistic work". As the concept of literary or
artistic works is incompatible with the concept of EoF/TCEs, the somewhat rigid
definition of "performers" in the Rome Convention does not appear to cover performers
of EoF/TCEs and thus may not be adequate to provide indirect protection for
EoF/TCEs.194
c) The Tunis model law

One of the earliest attempts at a sui generis law for the protection of folklore can be
found in the Tunis Model Law on Copyright for Developing Countries (hereinafter
referred to as "Tunis Model Law"). A product of the joint effort of WIPO and UNESCO
in 1976, the Tunis Model Law was drawn up to serve as a reference for developing
countries to employ when drafting their copyright legislation.195 Countries like Burundi,
Cameroon, Ghana, Guinea, the Ivory Coast, Mali and Congo have used it in drafting
there copyright laws.
The objective set out under the model law for protection of TCEs is to prevent any
improper exploitation and to permit adequate protection of the cultural heritage known as
folklore which constitutes not only a potential for economic expansion, but also a cultural
legacy intimately bound up with the individual character of the community. 196
192
. see Rome Convention 1961, Art 7(1)(a)
193
. see Rome Convention 1961, Art 7(1)(b)
194
. See generally supra note 90
195
. Collins, Stephen The commoditisation of culture: folklore, playwriting and copyright in Ghan. (2015)
(unpublished PhD thesis submitted to university of Glasgow ) http://theses.gla.ac.uk/6263/)
196
. Tunis Model Law on Copyright for Developing Countries. 1976. Web. 1 Oct. 2011 Section 6 Tunis model law
1976
Page|45
Folklore receives sui generis protection. On the other hand, works derived from folklore
197
are treated as copyright works. Folklore is defined in Section 18 as all literary,
artistic and scientific works created on national territory by authors presumed to be
nationals of such countries or by ethnic communities, passed from generation to
generation and constituting one of the basic elements of the traditional cultural heritage.
Under the Tunis model law no criteria is specifically stated for a folkloric works to be
protected under copyright law. Unlike the conventional copyright law there is no fixation
requirement198 and more importantly there is no originality requirement. More over the
duration of protection for folkloric works are unlimited. 199
Under Section 6 of the model works of national folklore enjoy both economic rights:
which includes the exclusive right to reproduce, make translation, adaptation,
arrangement, and transformation, to communicate work to public either through
performance or broadcasting200 and moral rights; that includes claiming authorship,
object to and seek relief in connection with distortion, mutilation, modification or any
other action which would be prejudicial to his honor or reputation201. Rights in folklore
are exercised by the competent authority.202
With regard to the protection of the same or similar cultural expressions from
neighboring countries at the regional and international level section 6(3) states that
Copies, adaptations etc of works of national folklore made abroad without authorization,
shall not be imported or distributed in national territory. Importation of copies of
protected work into national territory constitutes an infringement and can be seized.
Person infringing rights obliged to cease infringement; liable for damages; if willful be
punishable by fine or imprisonment or both.203 Infringement of rights mentioned which
are considered as violation of national cultural heritage and may be curbed by all
197
. Id section 2
198
. Id 5bis
199
. Id Sec. 6(2)
200
.Id Sec. 4
201
.Id Sec. 5(1)
202
. Id Sec. 6 & 18
203
. Id Sec. 15(1)
Page|46
legitimate means.204 Material proof of infringement may be provided by statements of

police officers or certified statements of sworn agents of authors organization.205 There
is however an exception the rights do not apply when works of national folklore are used
by public entity for non commercial purpose.206
In general, the Tunis Model Law, attempts to resolve the deficiencies of the conventional
copyright law system by widening the ambit of copyright law to accommodate the special
features of folklore.207 Specifically, it provides for three main forms of protection not
available under standard copyright systems:(a) exclusion of a time limitation for
protection; (b) exemption of folkloric works from the requirement of fixation; and (c)
introduction of moral rights to prevent the destruction and desecration of folkloric
works.208
d) WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty 1996 (WPPT) (indirect

protection)
Under the WPPT, performers enjoy a wide range of exclusive rights, that is, the right to
authorize the broadcasting, communication to the public and fixation of their unfixed
performance,209 reproduction right,210 distribution right,211 commercial rental, right212
and right of making available of fixed performances.213 Furthermore, the performers also
enjoy the right to remuneration for broadcasting and communication to the public.214 The
performer has also moral rights of identity and integrity 215 Unlike the Rome Convention,
the WPPT specifically mentions TCEs. Article 2 of the WPPT provides that for the
purpose of the Treaty, "performers" are defined as "actors, singers, musicians, dancers,
204
.Id Sec. 15(2)
205
.Id Sec. 15(4)
206
.Id Sec. 61bis
207
. Joseph Githaiga. Intellectual Property Law And The Protection Of Indigenous Folklore And Knowledge Murdoch
University Electronic Journal of Law Volume 5, Number 2 (June 1998)
208
. Id
209
. WPPT, Art 6
210
. Id ,Art.7
211
. Id, Art.8
212
. Id, Art.9
213
. Id, Art.10
214
. Id, art.15
215
.Id, Art. 5
Page|47
and other persons who act, sing, deliver, declaim, play in, interpret, or otherwise perform
literary or artistic works or expressions of folklore"
However, the performers' rights under the TRIPS Agreement and the WPPT do not
extend to the visual aspects of performances of EoF/TCEs they only protect parts that
may be perceived by the human ear216
e) WIPO-UNESCO Model Provisions for National Laws on the Protection of

Expressions of Folklore, 1982
In 1978 the International Bureau of WIPO prepared a first draft of sui generis model
provisions for intellectual-property-type protection of folklore against certain
217
unauthorized uses and against distortion. In 1982 after many deliberations the
Committee of Governmental Experts, convened by the WIPO and UNESCO at Geneva,
adopted the Model Provisions for National Laws on the Protection of Expressions of
Folklore against Illicit Exploitation and other Prejudicial Actions (Model Provisions).
The Model Provisions doesnt provide an express definition of folklore rather it gives
the characteristics of TCEs and lists protected folkloric expressions. According to section
2 of the model traditional cultural expressions are; Productions consisting of
characteristic elements of the traditional artistic heritage developed and maintained by a
community of [name of the country] or by individuals reflecting the traditional artistic
expectations of such a community, in particular:
(i) verbal expressions, such as folk tales, folk poetry and riddles;
(ii) musical expressions, such as folk songs and instrumental music;
(iii) expressions by action, such as folk dances, plays and artistic forms or rituals
whether or not reduced to a material form; and
(iv) tangible expressions, such as: (a) productions of folk art, in particular,
drawings, paintings, carvings, sculptures, pottery, terracotta, mosaic,
woodwork, metalware, jewellery, basket weaving, needlework, textiles,
carpets, costumes; (b) musical instruments; [(c) architectural forms].
216
. Supra note p.45
217
. Marg, Vasant Vihar . Expressions of Folklore and its International protection, report prepared by The Asian-
African Legal Consultative Organization Secretariat(AALCO) E-66Vasant New Delhi 110057 (India)
Page|48
The unique features of this model are it uses the words expressions and productions
rather than works to underline the fact that the provisions are sui generis, rather than
part of copyright 218 and only artistic heritage is covered by the Model provisions. this
means that, among other things, traditional beliefs, scientific views (e.g. traditional
cosmogony) or merely practical traditions as such, separated from possible traditional
artistic forms of their expressions do not fall within the scope of the proposed definition
of expressions of folklore)219
The words architectural forms appear in the model provisions in square brackets to
show the hesitation which accompanied their inclusion and to leave it up to each country
to decide whether or not to include such forms in the realm of protected expressions of
folklore.220
TCEs are protected against two things illicit exploitation and other prejudicial actions.
When publication, reproduction, distribution of copies, public recitation, performance,
transmission by wire or wireless means and any other form of communication to the
public is made with both gainful intent and outside the traditional or customary context, a
prior authorization is required.221
Under the model Illicit exploitation of expressions of folklore is defined as any

utilization made both with gainful intent and outside the traditional or customary context
of folklore, without authorization by a competent authority or the community
concerned.222 The conditions laid out in this article are a cumulative one. The absence of
one condition will not amount to an illicit exploitation. If for example a work is used for
commercial purpose but with the traditional or customary context then it will not be
considered as an illicit exploitation of EOF.
218
. Supra note 89
219
. Id
220
.The protection of Expressions of folklore: the attempts at international level paper prepared by the international
Bureau of WIPO publication No. 435(E) Visited on April 28, 2014
221
. WIPO, UNESCO. Model Provisions for National Laws on the Protection of Expressions of Folklore against
Illicit Use and Prejudicial Actions. 1985. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. Section 3
222
. Id
Page|49
The model provision stipulates four acts as prejudicial actions. The first act is
application of origin of TCEs. It is failing to identify the place of origin (source) of the
TCEs as stipulated under section 5. The second is unauthorized utilization of an
expression of folklore where authorization is required. The third act of prejudicial action
is passing off. It is misleading the public by creating the impression that what is
involved is an expression of folklore derived from a given community when, in fact, such
is not the case.223 The final act is distorting to the prejudicial to the cultural interests of
the community concerned.
The model law further requires acknowledgement of source224. Accordingly, a source

must be acknowledged in appropriate manner (mentioning community and/or geographic
place from where expression utilized has derived from) in all printed publications, in any
communications to the public when folkloric works are taken with authorization. Under
Section 6, non-compliance with the requirement of acknowledgement of the source is a
punishable offence. However, no authorization is required for:
(i) Purposes of education

(ii) Utilization by way of illustration in original work
(iii) Where expressions of folklore are borrowed for creating an original
work of author
(iv) Incidental utilization such as reporting on current events, located
permanently in public place.225
An important aspect of this model law is that it gives a room for creativity. The model
allows any member of a community of the country to freely reproduce or perform
expressions of folklore of his own community in their traditional or customary context
irrespective of whether he does it with or without gainful intent.
However, the model provisions failed to address the question of ownership with regards
to expressions of folklore. The Model provision use the word competent authority and
223
. Supra note 89
224
. Supra note 219, Section 5
225
.Id Section 4 and 5(2)
Page|50
community concerned avoiding the term owner.226 The designation of such an

authority and who should be entitled to authorize the utilization of expressions of folklore
is left up to individual national governments on the grounds that the ownership of
folklore may be regulated in different ways in different countries227.
f) TRIPS
The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) was
signed in Marrakech, Morocco, on 15 April 1994. As a result of the Uruguay Round of
Multilateral Trade Negotiations, it forms part of the legal obligations of the World Trade
Organization (WTO
The issue of TCE was explicitly included in the agenda of the TRIPS Council at the
fourth Ministerial Conference of the WTO held in Doha in November 2001. In paragraph
19 of the Doha Ministerial Declaration, the Ministers instruct the TRIPS Council to
examine, among other things, the protection of folklore. Up to now, however, the main
focus of the examination, as foreseen in paragraph 19, was on disclosure requirements
under patent law, whereas the issue of folklore has not been dealt with at all228. However
some argue that Article 14(1) of the TRIPS Agreement which provides protection for
performers in respect of their performance on a phonogram, can be construed as wide
enough to cover performers of EoF/TCEs and therefore capable of protecting EoF/TCEs
indirectly. "Performers"229 Since there is no definition for the word performers to
include performers of TCEs it will be difficult for those owners who perform TCEs to
ascertain their legal rights with this provision
226
. Supra note 14
227
. Githaiga, Jose. Indigenous Intellectual Property Law and the Protection of Folklore and Knowledge, Volume 5,
Number 2(June 1998)
228
. Martin A. Girsberger. "Legal protection of traditional cultural expressions: a policy perspective Christoph B.
Gaber and N. Burry-Neonva(Eds) Intellectual Property And Traditional Cultural Expressions In A Digital Environment
(Edward Elgar Publishing Limited(UK) & Edward Elgar Publishing, Inc.(USA)2008) Page 134
229
. Supra note 90
Page|51
3.5.3. Regional initiatives
i. Bangui Agreement 1999
The Bangui Agreement was originally developed in 1977, and included provision for the
protection of expressions of folklore and works derived from folklore under Art.5 (1)
(xii)230. The 1977 text was replaced in 1999. It is not legally binding document on the
signatories; rather, it is designed to generate compliance231. The revised text protects
both expressions of folklore and works derived from folklore as cultural heritages232.
Expressions of folklore are defined in the text as productions of characteristic elements
of the traditional artistic heritage developed and perpetuated by a community or by
individuals recognized as meeting the expectations of such community, including folk
tales, folk poetry, folk songs, instrumental music, folk dancing and entertainment as also
the artistic expressions of rites and productions of folk art233 Expressions of folklore and
works inspired by them like Translations, adaptations, arrangements and other
transformations of expressions of folklore are regarded as original copyright works234.
Furthermore collections and databases of works and expressions of folklore are also
protected235
In addition, Performances of expressions of folklore are accorded the same protection as

is accorded to other performances in the copyright law236 Performances is defined in
the agreement to include performances of expressions of folklore237.
The Bangui Agreement requires that anyone, national or non-national, wishing to utilize
folklore for commercial purposes must gain permission from the relevant competent
230
. OAPI, Agreement Relating to the Creation of an African Intellectual Property Organization, Constituting a
Revision of the Agreement Relating to the Creation of an African and Malagasy Office of Industrial Property, (1977),
revised 1999. Available at: http://www.wipo.int/wipolex/en/text.jsp?file_id=141261.
231
. Supra note 193
232
.Supra note 228, article 67(2)(i)
233
. Id, Art. 2 (xx)
234
. Id, Art. 5
235
. Id, Art.6 (1) (i) & (ii)
236
. Id, Art. 48
237
. Id, Art 46
Page|52
authority. Specifically, under Article 73(2) (a) which stipulates Prohibited Acts, the Act
requires that permission be gained for:
(a) the publication, reproduction and distribution of copies of any cultural

property, whether classified or not, listed or not, ancient or recent, and
considered by this Act as part of the national cultural heritage
However there are exceptions to this principle. Under Article 74(1) of the agreement the
utilization of folklore for the following reasons doesnt require authorization from the
owner;
(a) use for teaching;
(b) Use as illustration of the original work of an author on condition that the scope
of such use remains compatible with honest practice;
(c) Borrowings for the creation of an original work from one or more authors.
The duration of the Economic rights of the owner of TCEs under this agreement is
lifetime of author + 70 years after death of the author. The Moral rights of the author are
protected perpetual. Up on the expiry of the duration of the Economic rights protection
the works will fall into public domain. Expressions of folklore and works that have fallen
into the public domain are subject to domaine public payant238. The exploitation of
expressions of folklore and that of works or productions that have fallen into the public
domain on expiry of the terms of protection shall be subject to the user entering into an
undertaking to pay to the national collective rights administration body a relevant
royalty239. Royalties collected with respect to the exploitation of expressions of folklore
shall be devoted to welfare and cultural purposes240.
The limitations of this agreement are; it doesnt address the issue of ownership, there are
no specific provisions dealing with who the holder of expressions of folklore are, It is not
backed by sanction and do not necessarily establish minimum standards between member
states241 and it doesnt deal with the question of the protection of the same or similar
238
. Id. Section 59
239
. Id.
240
. Id.
241
. Supra note 193
Page|53
cultural expressions from neighboring countries (so-called regional folklore).

Furthermore since both expressions of folklore and works derived from folklore are
considered as copyright works it suffers from the limitation a copyright law protection
suffers in terms of the requirement of originality, identified owner, the limited duration of
protection it affords. On the positive side the work is not required to be fixed on material
medium to get protection242.
ii. Pacific Regional Framework for the Protection of TK and TCEs, 2002
Expressions of culture are defined as any ways in which TK appears or is manifested,

including inter alia names, stories, chants, riddles, histories, songs in oral narratives, art
and craft, musical instruments, sculpture, painting, carving, pottery, terracotta mosaic,
woodwork, metalware, painting, jewelry, weaving, needlework, shell work, rugs,
costumes and textiles, music, dances, theatre, literature, ceremonies, ritual performances,
cultural practices, designs, architectural forms.
In order to get protection under this regional framework the subject matter must be
traditional i.e.,(i) created, acquired or inspired for traditional economic, spiritual, ritual,
narrative, decorative or recreational purposes; (ii) transmitted from generation to
generation; (iii) regarded as pertaining to a particular traditional group, clan, or
community of people; and (iv) is collectively originated and held243. Further, the TCEs
need not be in material form to get protection 244
The agreement accords both economic right and moral rights to the owners. Moral rights
and traditional cultural rights continue in force in perpetuity, are inalienable, and cannot
be waived or transferred245.
Contrary to the OAIP the pacific regional framework deals with the ownership right.
Accordingly ownership right is given to a group, clan or community, or individual
recognized as part of group, clan or community, in whom the custody or protection of the
242
. Supra note 228 Art.4(2)
243
. Pacific Regional Framework for the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Culture, 2002 Sec. 4
244
. Id Sec.8
245
. Id, Sec.9 and 13(4)
Page|54
TK or TCEs are entrusted in accordance with customary law and practices246. If a

derivative work is created, based on TCEs then IP right on the work vests in creator or as
provided for by IP law.
The Model Law establishes traditional cultural rights (Economic right)247 and moral
rights248 in expressions of culture. Traditional cultural rights do not prevent uses of
cultural expressions by traditional owners249, nor to face-to-face teaching, criticism or
review, reporting news or current events, judicial proceedings, and incidental use,
although sufficient acknowledgement is needed in these cases250
According to the framework uses of cultural expressions require prior and informed
consent. Applications for consent may be made directly to a Cultural Authority or
directly to traditional owners251.
246
.Id, Sec. 4
247
. Traditional cultural rights are rights to authorize or prevent the following uses;(i) to reproduce the TK or
expressions of culture; (ii) to publish the TK or expressions of culture; (iii) to perform or display the TK or expressions
of culture in public; (iv) to broadcast the TK or expressions of culture to the public by radio, television, satellite, cable
or any other means of communication; (v) to translate, adapt, arrange, transform or modify the TK or expressions of
culture; (vi) to fixate the TK or expressions of culture through any process such as making a photograph, film or sound
recording; vii) to make available online or electronically transmit to the public (whether over a path or a combination of
paths, or both) TK or expressions of culture; (viii) to create derivative works; (ix) to make, use, offer for sale, sell,
import or export TK or expressions of culture or products derived there from; (x) to use the TK or expressions of
culture in any other material form, if such uses are a non-customary (whether or not of a commercial nature) Id, Sec. 7
248
.Moral rights refers to rights of attribution of ownership; the right not to have ownership falsely attributed; right
not to have TK subject to derogatory treatment (Section 13). If cultural expressions and derivative works are used for
commercial purposes, user must share benefits with traditional owners, acknowledge source and respect moral rights
(Id, Sec. 12).
249
.Id, Sec.7(3)
250
.Id, Sec.7(4) and (5)
251
. An authorized user agreement between the owners and the users should include terms and conditions about the
following (i) sharing of financial and other benefits arising from the use of the TK or expressions of culture; (ii)
compensation, fees, royalties or other payments for the use;(iii) whether the use will be exclusive or non-exclusive; (iv)
duration of the use to be allowed and rights of renewal; (v) disclosure requirements in relation to the use; (vi) the
possible sharing by the traditional owners of any IP rights arising from the use of the TK or expressions of culture; (vii)
access arrangements for the traditional owners; (viii) education and training requirements for the applicant; (ix)
controls on publication; (x) specify whether the rights arising under the agreement can be assigned; (xi) choice of law
in relation to disputes under the agreement; (xii) respect for moral rights of the traditional owners. Applications to the
Cultural Authority must be in prescribed form; specify manner in which applicant proposes use; state purpose for
Page|55
Under this agreement various offences are created, punishable on conviction by fine or
term of imprisonment, or both. Traditional owners may also institute civil proceedings.
Remedies like injunction, damage for loss, public apology, cease or reverse false
attribution of ownership or derogatory treatment, order for account for profits, seizure of
objects, other are also provided. In lieu of the court system the parties can use customary
laws. The agreement states in case of dispute, customary laws and practices can be
applied as a means to resolve the dispute.
The agreement also deals with the question of the protection of the same or similar
cultural expressions from neighboring countries (so-called regional folklore).
Accordingly, the same or similar cultural expression found in the member state of the
agreement is protected in accordance with reciprocal arrangements the states enter into.
3.5.4. Selected National Experiences
I. Panama
Panama Law, Act 20 of June 26, 2000 establishes a "special intellectual property system
for the collective rights of Indigenous peoples, for the protection and defense of their
cultural identity and of their traditional knowledge". The purpose of the law is to "protect
the collective rights of intellectual property and traditional knowledge of the indigenous
communities upon their creations", in addition to the "cultural elements of their history,
music, art and traditional artistic expressions," "capable of commercial use, through a
special register system." 252
Under the Panamanian Law traditional knowledge constitutes "customs, believing,

spirituality, religiosity" and "folkloric expressions of the indigenous communities." The
Law explicitly states that these are part of the cultural assets of the indigenous
communities and consequently "cannot be object of any form of exclusive right by not
which use intended; prescribed fee. Applications are published by means of copy to traditional owners, copy in national
newspaper, and if required broadcast on radio and TV.
252
. Panama Executive Decree No. 12, March 20, (2001 )on Special Intellectual Property Regime Governing the
Collective Rights of Indigenous Peoples for the Protection and Defence of their Cultural Identity and their Traditional
Knowledge Art.1
Another key objective is also to protect the authenticity of crafts and other traditional artistic expressions (Art. 6).
Page|56
authorized third parties under the intellectual property system such as copyrights,
industrial models, trademarks, indications of regional origin and others.253
Under the Executive Decree, pre-existing intellectual property rights relating to art,
music, literature, biological, medical and ecological knowledge and other subject matter
and manifestations that have no author or owner and no date of origin and constitute the
heritage of an entire indigenous people, is protected as "collective indigenous rights"254
The Panamanian Law allows exemptions for folkloric dance groups255 and certain small
non-indigenous artisans. However, these small, non-indigenous artisans will not be able
to claim the collective rights of indigenous as recognized by the Panamanian law256.
Compared to the UNESCO Model Law provisions, the Panamanian law does not provide
for exceptions relating to education, "fair practice," "borrowing for producing original
work," or for incidental uses in broadcasting or for reporting purposes.
The law establishes a registration system for TCEs. A special office has been created
within the countrys IP office to approve the applications and maintain the register. The
procedure before the IP office does not require the services of a lawyer and there are no
application fees. Regarding the consequence of the registration of the collective rights in
an object or TCEs the law states that it shall not affect the traditional exchange of the
object or knowledge in question between indigenous peoples.257 In addition access to the
register of collective rights is to be made public, with the exception of experiments and
cognitive processes conducted by indigenous peoples and their traditional production
.techniques or methods used258
253
.Special Intellectual Property Regime Governing the Collective Rights of Indigenous Peoples for the Protection and
Defence of their Cultural Identity and their Traditional Knowledge of Panama, (2000) Article 2,Panama Law
254
. Id, Art. 2(v)
255
.Id , Art. 16
256
. Id
257
. Supra note 250 Executive Decree, article II
258
.Supra note 251 Article I2
Page|57
Sanction is provided against importation of foreign goods originating from countries that
are non-original products, recorded, embroidered, weaved or any other articles, that are
imitated, in whole or in part. It also addresses the problem of trade in such goods outside
its borders by invoking the principle of reciprocity.259
II. The Philippines
The indigenous people of the Philippines roughly form 10% of its population of
approximately 60 million people. There are 110 tribes in the groups of islands that
constitute the Republic of the Philippines.260 Recognition and promotion of the rights of
indigenous cultural communities is recognized under the constitution of the country.261
There is also a provision for the creation of autonomous regions in certain selected areas
which share common, distinctive historical and cultural heritage and other relevant
characteristics, with a view to protecting and promoting the ethnic diversities of the
indigenous people.262 The Constitution calls upon the State to protect the rights of
indigenous cultural communities to their ancestral lands with a view to ensure their
cultural well being, among other things.263
Based on the rights guaranteed under the constitution for the rights of indigenous cultural
communities the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997 (IPRA) was enacted by the
Senate and the Congress of the Republic of the Philippines on July 28, 1997. The IPRA
has been described as an Act to recognize, protect and promote the rights of Indigenous
Cultural Communities (ICCs)/Indigenous Peoples (IPs), creating a National Commission
on Indigenous People (NCIP), establishing an implementing mechanism, appropriating
funds therefore, and for other purposes. The Act defines Indigenous Cultural
Communities/Indigenous People as;
Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples refers to a group of people or

homogenous societies identified by self-ascription and ascription by others, who have
continuously lived as organized community on communal bounded and defined territory,
259
. Panama Law No. 20, Article 25
260
.Supra note 32
261
.Indigenous Peoples Rights Act Of 1997 Republic Act No.8371 Republic Of The Philippines Art. II Sec. 22
262
. Id Art.X Sec. 15
263
.Id Article XII Section 5)(ibid)
Page|58
and who have, under claims of ownership since time immemorial, occupied, possessed
and utilized such territories, sharing common bonds of language, customs, traditions and
other distinctive cultural traits, or who have through resistance to political, social and
cultural inroads of colonization, non-indigenous religions and cultures, became
historically differentiated from the majority of Filipinos. ICCs/IPs shall likewise include
peoples who are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent from the populations
which inhabited the country, at the time of conquest or colonization, or at the time of
inroads of non-indigenous religions and cultures, or the establishment of present state
boundaries, who retain some or all of their own social, economic, cultural and political
institutions, but who may have been displaced from their traditional domains or who may
have resettled outside their ancestral domains.264
The community intellectual property rights recognize the right to practice and revitalize
cultural traditions and customs of the indigenous communities. According to this
provision, the State is bound to preserve, protect and develop the past, present and future
manifestations of their cultures. The rules and regulations framed under the provisions of
the Act further clarified the cultural manifestations to include archaeological and
historical sites, artifacts, designs, ceremonies, technologies, visual and performing art,
literature as well as religious and spiritual property. It is also obligatory on the part of the
State to restore the cultural, intellectual, religious and spiritual property taken without the
free and prior informed consent of the communities.265
Full ownership, control and protection of the cultural and intellectual rights are
recognized in Section 34 of the IPRA. The indigenous communities have been given the
right over them as well as other cultural manifestations.
All through the Act, the prevalence of customary laws of the community concerned has
been established as a determinant factor for management and protection of the rights
conferred by the Act. The act requires the free and prior informed consent of the
communities to be acquired through the customary laws for the safe guarding the rights
of IPs. The rules define free and prior informed consent as consensus of all members of
the indigenous communities to be determined in accordance with their customary laws
and practices.266
264
.Supra note 32, p.26
265
. Id
266
. Id.27
Page|59
The rules also lay down some guidelines regarding the safeguarding of the rights of
indigenous people and indigenous knowledge systems, these include (1) the right to
regulate the entry of researchers and research institutions, (2) written agreement
concerning the purpose, design and expected output of the research, (3) the need to
recognize the source of the material taken in case the information regarding the material
is published, (4) the supply of copies of research output to the communities concerned,
and, most importantly, (5) sharing of the income derived from the research output with
the community.267
III. Ghana
After independence from British colonial rule and prior to the 2005 legislation, Ghana
passed two copyright acts268. The first act in 1961 (Act 85) mimics U.S. copyright
protection and does not include special protections for folklore under copyright269.The
subsequent act, in 1985, drew from the WIPO/UNESCO 1982 Model Provisions and
applied a tariff on foreign-produced music based on Ghanaian folklore270. Initially,
Ghanas folklore was considered as public property that belongs to the public domain. In
1985, the Ghanaian government passed a copyright law271 that removed folklore and
other works of cultural heritage from the public domain.
Later in 2005, after several years of debate, the Ghanaian parliament passed Act 690,
which allows the government to collect royalties on the commercial use of folkloric
works developed both domestically and abroad and defines harsh consequences for those
who infringe272.
267
.Id
268
. Kathleen Ludewig The Nationalization and Commercialization Of Ghanaian Folklore Michigan Journal of
Public Affairs The Gerald R. Ford School Of Public Policy The University Of Michigan, Ann Arbor Volume 6,
Spring (2009 ) [available at Www.Mjpa.Umich.Edu] last accessed on June 17, 2014
269
. Id
270
. Id
271
P.N.D.C. Law No. 110 Ghana: Copyright, Law, 21/03/1985, No. 110. March 21, 2005.
http://www.wipo.int/clea/en/details.jsp?id=1783 )
272
.supra note 266
Page|60
In the act folklore is defined as the literary, artistic and scientific expressions
belonging to the cultural heritage of Ghana which are created, preserved and developed
by ethnic communities of Ghana or by an unidentified Ghanaian author, and includes
kente273 and adinkra274 designs where the author of the designs are not known, and any
similar work designated under this Act to be works of folklore275 The act offers
protection against reproduction, communication to the public by performance,
broadcasting, distribution by cable or other means, and adaptation, translation and other
transformation.276
The ownership right to folklore is given to President on behalf of the Republic of

Ghana277 . This article has been equated to the nationalization of rights to folkloric
expressions because it takes authorship rights away from the creators of expressions of
folklore and places them in the President, as trustee for the entire nation278. Even though
folklore is governed by a copy right law regime in Ghana the duration accorded for the
protection of folklore is perpetual.
Anyone who wants to utilize a Ghanaian folklore has to pay royalty. Payment of
royalties applies to commercial use of works of [Ghanaian] folklore made in or outside
the Republic279 What it means is that not only a foreigner but also a Ghanaian has to pay
a fee for the utilization of folklore. According to the act Revenues or royalties from the
use of folklore should be used for the preservation and promotion of folklore and for the
promotion of indigenous arts280.
273
. Kente is a derivative of kenten, the Twi language word for basket. The name depicts both the art of weaving
employed to create kente, and the conceptual mosaic framework of every kente design. Twi is a language spoken by
many tribes within the middle belt of Ghana. Id
274
. Adinkra means to say goodbye. It is also a Twi word Adinkra is a language expressed in art form, which would
have only aesthetic value) Id.
275
. Ghana: Copyright, Law, 17/05/2005, No. 690. May 17, 2005. http://www.wipo.int/clea/en/details.jsp?id=1789
Act 690, 61 Act 690, Section 76
276
. Id. Sec. 4, Article 1
277
. Id. Sec. 4, Article 2 (65)
278
. Gertrude Torkornoo Creating Capital From Culture Re-Thinking The Provisions On Expressions Of Folklore
In Ghanas Copyright Law Annual Survey Of Intl & Comp. Law (Vol. Xviii 2012)
279
. Supra note273 Sec. 44, Art. 1, Clause a
280
. Id Sec. 64, Art. 4, Clauses a and b
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The National Folklore Board is entrusted with the protection of folklore, expressly
extends the folkloric royalty to Ghanaians281, The law requires written permission from
the National Folklore Board and royalties with an amount to be decided on a case-by-case
basis for the commercial use, sale, or distribution of works or adaptations of Ghanaian
folklore that are sold in Ghana, regardless of whether those works are produced
domestically and internationally, by Ghanaians or non-Ghanaians282.
281
. Id Sec. 44, Art. 1, Clause b
282
. Id Sec. 44, Article 1, Clause a & b
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CHAPTER FOUR
4. PROTECTION OF TCEs IN ETHIOPIA
4.1. Introduction to TCEs in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is an old and historical country with more than eighty nation and nationalities.
Different nationalities have their own traditional cultures. Ethiopia is a country with rich
cultural heritages that act like a mirror of the past and a guiding light for the present, by
which the present life is lived out, where amongst other things, it sets out the norms in
society and the rules by which people have to live by, peacefully and harmoniously, and
solve their problems.283
Those cultures are expressed through music, dance, folklore, religious beliefs, wedding
and mourning ceremonies, drama etc. There is great diversity of folk songs and dances,
as one would expect in a country with so distinct geographical, ethnic and cultural
variations284. Music and dance in Ethiopia are as old as the nation. Folk music and dance,
has become part and parcel of the life of the common man in Ethiopia285. Ethiopia has a
rich musical heritage with a marked character of its own. The range of different types of
music is extensive, running from the highly refined chants of the clergy, through
melodious sentimental love songs, to the harsh squeal of the warriors songs286. There are
over 150 unique dance movements across Ethiopia and its regions. Different musical
instruments are used to transmit certain ideas, religious beliefs, historical events, and
ancient stories, and emotions, thoughts like krar, flute, drums and mesenko.
Traditional crafts are also one expression of culture they are a mirror of the cultural
diversity in Ethiopia - they result from a combination of the creativity, culture and the
283
. EIPO, Community knowledge in Ethiopia, 2002 (BULLETIN).
284
. Ellene Mocria, Mesfin Messele &Alemayehu G/Hiwot, Survey of culture and media Background Documents
Country Strategy Ethiopia 20032007, 2003 p.10
285
. Id
286
. supra note 282 p.11
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heritage and the environment of the craftspeople287. Ethiopian arts and crafts have diverse
forms and applications: bead work, body sacrfications, tattoos, body decoration, carving
(body paint, hairstyles); carving (on leather, wood, stone); farming implements and
harvesting tools; housing construction methods, furniture, everyday household objects;
Iconography church murals, dypthics and trypthics, bookmaking and illuminations;
sacred crosses, ceremonial and ritual props of all kinds; jewellery, pottery, textiles,
Weaponry288.
In Ethiopia folklore performs several important social functions It helps the local
communities to release cultural tensions and ambivalence, and it provides amusement and
education. It strengthens social cohesiveness, raises the quality of life and assists in the
development and articulation of cultural identity. They use folklore to reflect the past and
make improvements for their future. Folklore gives them a chance of self-expression
through music, song, dance, speech, and many other avenues. Such cultural
manifestations create an invisible bond among individuals and groups and forge social
and spiritual contact289
At present in Ethiopia TCEs are being used without the authorization of the authoring
community as source of inspiration and creativity for cultural industries, such as the
entertainment, fashion, publishing, crafts and designs. Certain aspects of traditional
cultures, particularly, traditional songs, music, dances, and chants were increasingly used
without proper authorisation and outside of their traditional contexts.
The domestic commercial use of native arts is extensive. All industries in Ethiopia are
replete with products using folkloric expressions, music and audiovisual industries. They
draw upon local cultural materials requiring the need to provide real and actual incentives
287
. Jacques Dubois Roots and flowerings of Ethiopias traditional crafts UNESCO publication for the millinium,2008
page 7
288
.Id
289
. Interview with Ato Tedla Mamo, In Ethiopia Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) Copy Right and Community
Knowledge Protection and Development Process Director, Addis Ababa (September 17, 2015)
Page|64
in private property rights to broaden the market through product proliferation and to
make intellectual creativity a source of capital creation.
But how to protect these abundant, special, original cultures is a big question to modern
society when facing the market economy and the invading of foreign culture. Although
some organizations and institutions in international world such as WIPO and UNESCO
try to reach some agreements and they have made significant progress in protecting
TCEs, Ethiopia, as a developing country, still lags behind.
4.2. Objective for Protection of TCEs

The objective sought for protecting TCEs can be wide and comprehensive, ranging from
moral to economic and from intellectual, artistic and cultural to protectionist
objectives290.
However, Ethiopia believes protection of TCEs should be in conformity with human

rights standards. At the 11th session of the IGC on intellectual property and genetic
resources, traditional knowledge and folklore the Delegation of Ethiopia stated that
whereas the international recognition and protection of the rights of traditional
communities to their cultural expressions had a direct economic and moral bearing, the
objectives of the outcome sought should not be limited to these considerations it should
be to recognize existing rights under international law and international human rights
law. The delegation further elaborated how the objective of protecting TCEs has
relations with other rights this objective had a direct correlation with other rights, such
as the right to culture, the right to cultural self- determination and the right to
development. This was not a regime of morality but of entitlements and rights. The basis
of such protection should be neither moral nor economic, but was rather found in the
realm of rights. 291
The Delegation drew attention to General Comment No. 17 of the Committee on

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which recognized the rights of communities to
290
.Adopted Report Inter governmental committee on intellectual property and genetic Resources, Traditional
knowledge and Folklore 11th session Wipo/Grtkf/Ic/11/15 March 20, 2008 p.65
291
.Id. p. 67
Page|65
benefit from the protection of moral and material interests resulting from the protection
of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic
production, and referred in particular to paragraph 15 of that General Comment. The
Delegation stated that international protection for TCEs should give concrete realization
to these human rights norms292.
4.3. Policies and Laws on the Protection of TCEs in Ethiopia
4.3.1. The Constitution

The two most important rights guaranteed under the constitution which are pertinent for
the protection of TCEs are the right to property and the right to culture. TCEs by nature
are mostly created and owned by communities collectively as a result communities right
to own property collectively needs to be guaranteed. The right to property is recognized
under article 40 of the constitution. Article 40(1) guarantees the right to the ownership of
private property whose contents include the right to acquire, to use and to dispose of such
property by sale or bequest or to transfer it otherwise subject to public interest and the
rights of other persons. Sub article 2 of this article defines private property as;
any tangible or intangible product which has value and is produced by the labour,
creativity, enterprise or capital of an individual citizens, associations which enjoy
juridical personality under the law, or in appropriate circumstances, by
communities specifically empowered by law to own property in common.
TCEs weather tangible or intangible is the fruit of communities creativity as a result they
fall in to the realm of private property. Further reading of this sub article shows the
constitution recognizes the concept of communal ownership. It stipulates that
communities can own private property collectively if the communities are empowered by
law to own property in common. However, even though the constitution paved the way
for communities to own properties collectively there is no specific law to date that
confers such rights for the authoring communities of TCEs.
292
.Id
Page|66
The second important right guaranteed under the constitution is the right to culture.
Under Article 39 of the Constitution which provides for the rights of nationalities, states
that Every Nation, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia have the constitutional right to
speak, write and develop their own language; to express, to develop their culture and to
preserve their history. The 1995 constitution of the federal democratic republic of
Ethiopia uses the term nation, nationalities and people throughout the constitution. The
constitution doesnt define these terms individually what it does is define them
holistically.
Nation, Nationality or People for the purpose of the Constitution, is defined as a

group of people who have or share a large measure of a common culture or
similar customs, mutual intelligibility of language, belief in a common or related
identities, a common psychological make-up, and who inhabit an identifiable,
predominantly contiguous territory293.
The federal government is given the power to establish and implement national standards
and basic policy criteria for the protection and preservation of cultural and historical
legacies294. Article 91 of the Constitution puts the duty on the government to support, on
the basis of equality, the growth and enrichment of all cultures and traditions that are
compatible with fundamental rights, human dignity, democratic norms and the ideals and
provisions of the Constitution.
4.3.2. Policy Consideration

Before any law is enacted for the protection of TCEs preparation and implementation of
appropriate policies should be given a priority. It ensures the effective protection of TCEs
as it provides a framework in drafting laws. Two policies that are worth considering for
the protection of TCEs in Ethiopia are the National cultural policy and the national
Intellectual property law policy and strategy of Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian cultural policy is promulgated to bring about the practical application of
Article 39/2 of the constitution and article 9/4 of the constitution which states all
293
.The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopian Constitution Proclamation No 1/1995( the Constitution), entered
into force on 21 August, 1995, Art 8(1) Art. 39(5)
294
. IdArt 51(3)
Page|67
international agreements ratified by Ethiopia are integral part of the law of the land. the
cultural policy is endorsed by the council of ministers on October 1997. The fundamental
social and cultural changes, globalization, and the awareness of cultures vital role to the
development of the country are factors that led to the coming effect of the cultural policy.
Culture is defined in the policy as a concept which incorporates all intellectual, ethical,
physical, technical and other activities that characterize humankind as a rational being. It
also involves the ability of man to learn and train himself in moral, technical and other
sphere of knowledge like the modes of life, beliefs, traditions, and spiritual wealth which
characterize a certain society as distinct from others295 (The cultural policy adopts the
definition given by UNESCO). In the Ethiopian context the policy defines culture as the
nations, nationalities and peoples varied social, economic, political, administrative,
moral, religious and psychological conditions.296 It includes languages, history, oral
tradition, housing, instruments of production, food preparation, eating habits, costumes,
ornamentation, aesthetic values and appreciation, beliefs and religious practices, the
spiritual ceremonies related to birth, weeding and communal concerns that emanate from
kinship, neighborhood and other types of relationships, traditional ways of social
governance, traditional health care practices and other related aspects of their respective
communities are also included297.
The cultural policy lists different objectives. From the list of objectives the one that is
related to the topic at hand Stipulates heritages, history, fine arts, handicrafts and folk arts
(tales, proverbs, popular poetry, dances, songs etc) of the nations, nationalities and
peoples of Ethiopia should be recognized collected, registered, analyzed, and
preserved.298 This objective goes hand in hand with the recognized rights of the nation,
nationalities and people of Ethiopia to develop their culture guaranteed under the
constitution. The policy stipulates in order to achieve the objectives that are set out in the
cultural policy laws and regulations are needed.
295
. National Cultural policy of Ethiopia (MYSC) available at www.chilot.me
296
. Id
297
. Id
298
. Id
Page|68
The second policy that should be considered for the protection and commercialization of
TCEs is the national intellectual property policy and strategy of Ethiopia. As of now
Ethiopia has no intellectual property law policy it is still at the draft stage. The goal of the
policy is to provide adequate protection, promote and use of traditional knowledge and
expression of folklore and ensuring sharing of equitable benefit arising from the use of
TCEs299. In order to achieve this goal different strategies are set. The draft policy
recognizes the existing IPRs laws alone doesnt protect TCEs300 and suggest the
enactment of sui generis laws to deal with the protection of expression of folklore taking
into account international best practices, regional initiatives and developments at the
international level301. Another strategy worth mentioning in this policy is it calls for the
establishment and update of national database on TCEs302.
The lack of laws and mechanisms that would help to meet the need for the protection of
traditional knowledge and expressions of folklore and address concerns related to
misappropriation and sharing of benefits is identified as the major challenges for the
Protection of TCEs under the draft policy303.
4.3.3. General overview of the existing IPRs in Ethiopia for the protection of TCEs
There is no specific law to prevent any unauthorized commercial exploitation of the rich
store of TCEs in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Intellectual property rights regime includes
copyright, patent, trademark, geographic indication of origin, industrial design, trade
secrets, etc. These IP regimes outlined briefly below.
In Ethiopia copyright law is governed by proclamation 410/2004. Under the proclamation

copyright protection extends to literary, artistic and scientific works and these include:
books, pamphlets, articles, computer programmes and other writings; speeches, lectures,
addresses, sermons and other oral works; dramatic-musical works, pantomimes,
choreographic works, and other works created for stage production; musical works with
299
.The draft intellectual property policy and strategy of the government of the federal republic of Ethiopia, November
2013 7(11)
300
.the draft policy states where appropriate the existing IP laws could be used to protect TCEs 7(11)(c))
301
.Id 7(11)(a)
302
.Id 7.11.(e)
303
. Id 6(i)
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or without accompanying words; audio visual works and sound recordings; works of
architecture; works of drawings, paintings, sculpture, engraving, lithography, tapestry and
other works of fine arts; photographic and cinematographic works; illustrations, maps,
plans, sketches, and three dimensional works related to geography, to topography
architecture or science; derivative works; and collection of works, collection of mere data
whether legible by machine or other form304.
The difficulties that exist in attempting to include folklore into copyright regime, under
the 410/2004 proclamation Copyright law of Ethiopia is first there is no specific
provision relating to protection of EoF/TCEs in the Copyright law. The only article which
could be construed to refer to the protection for TCEs is found under the copyright and
neighboring rights protection (Amendment) proclamation No. 872/2012. This
proclamation added applied arts305 to the types of works that are protected under article 2
sub Article 30. Communities could benefit from this sub article for their drawings,
paintings, carvings, pottery, wood work, metal work etc. However, the problem with this
sub article is that it is not inclusive it refers only to the small portion of the manifestations
of TCEs. In addition in terms of fulfilling the conditions for subsistence of protection and
duration there would be problems satisfying the requirement of the copyright law. First
Under the proclamation the author of the work is entitled to protection for his work upon
creation if the work is original306 . Many TCEs in Ethiopia like in the rest of the world are
not original since they are created many years ago. What is possible for protection of a
work under this statue is the adaptation of TCEs. If a work is adopted from TCEs then it
can be regarded as original copyright works. However the shortcoming of this law is
that it only protects derivative works307 of TCEs it fails to protect TCEs itself. Second,
the proclamation requires the work to be written down, recorded, fixed or otherwise
reduced to any material form308. This requirement prevents intangible and oral
expressions of culture, such as tales, dances or songs from being protected.
304
. Copyright and Neighboring Rights Proclamation, Proclamation No. 410/2004,Federal Negarit Gazeta, Year 10,
No. 54 Article 2(3) (a)-(i)
305
.copyright and neighboring rights protection (Amendment) proclamation No. 872/2012 Art.2(30)J
306
. Id, Art 6(1)(a)
307
.Id Art 4
308
. Id Art 6(1)(b)
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Third, copyright law requires the identification of known individual creator/creators to

determine the owners of the right. TCEs are communally created and held by the
community as a group and it is difficult to identify the creators as they may simply be
unknown or cant be located. In Ethiopias multi-ethnic society, the identification of the
members of any community for the purpose of determining the author(s) of a particular
folkloric expression would prove to be an extremely difficult task. Furthermore,
community membership is often expanded by the presence of long-term resident
migrants. For example, there are many migrants from the neighboring Somalia, Kenya
and Eritrea whose culture has been fused with the cultures of the Ethiopian different
states. Exacerbating the difficulty of determining the exact authors of an expression of
folklore is that folkloric expressions are changed subtly over long periods of time, thus
obscuring the exact moment of authorship.
In addition the copyright law doesnt recognize the concept of communal ownership.
The only law in Ethiopia that recognizes the concept of communal ownership is the
proclamation that is adopted to provide for access to Genetic resources and community
knowledge and community rights No, 482/2006. Article 5(2) states [t]he ownership of
community knowledge shall be vested in the concerned local community. In drafting a
law for protection of TCEs reference could be made to this proclamation.
Fifth, works are protected for the life of the author plus fifty years309.However, it is
evident communities want their TCEs to be protected in perpetuity. Further, the limited
terms of protection requires certainty as to the date of a works creation which is often
impossible to ascertain in case of TCEs.
The other type of IPR that should be considered for the protection of TCEs is neighboring
rights protection. Neighboring rights is defined under article 2(14) of proclamation
410/2004 as the rights of performers, producers of sound recordings, broadcasting
organizations over their works. Neighboring rights can be useful for the protection of
TCEs and may be able to meet the needs of communities. In an oral culture, it is often
through performances of songs, and chants or narration of stories that elements of
309
. Id Art 20(1)
Page|71
traditional culture are passed within a community and between generations. Folk tales,
poetry, songs, instrumental music, dances, plays and similar expressions of folklore
actually live in the form of regular performances. Performers rights give the traditional
performers the right to determine whether their performances should be fixed, and how
the fixation of the performance should be further disseminated and used.(see article 26-
31)
The protection of performances of expressions of folklore might, indirectly, provide

adequate protection for the expressions of folklore themselves. This is probably a fair
expectation, provided the performer is from the community that is the holder of the
expression of folklore. The flip side to this argument is that it is not always the authoring
community who performs TCEs. TCEs are being performed by non members of
communities in such cases the expression may still receive indirect protection, but any
benefits will not accrue to the community.
Article 2(19) of the proclamation defines Performer" as actor, singer, musician, dancer,
and other person who act, sing, deliver, declaim, play in, or otherwise perform literary
and artistic works. The problem with this sub article is that first of all it doesnt
specifically mention performance of TCEs. As mentioned in chapter 2 the WPPT treaty
of 1996 has included in its definition of performers the performers of TCEs under
article 2 in order to clearly confer rights to performers of TCEs. Second even if this sub
article could be construed to include TCEs as TCEs are expressed through dances, songs,
plays etc only performers of literary and artistic works are protected. It excludes other
performers who perform TCEs other than literary and artistic works.
Moreover this type of protection faces similar issues relating to authors rights, such as
originality, fixation and duration310 and they exclude certain folkloric performers, record
producers and broadcasters.
310
. Five year for the performer (Art.26(4)) and it is fifty years for the rights of performers and producers of sound
recordings (Art 27(2)) and 20 years for the rights of broadcasting organizations.(Art.31(2)
Page|72
With regard to the protection of industrial design law the criteria used for industrial
designs are: originality; industrial applicability; and those which are contrary to public
order and morality are excluded from protection.311 The protection period for an
industrial design lasts for a period of five years which may be renewed for two extensions
of five years each. Most of the industrial designs in Ethiopia are for shoes and
furniture312. Here also the criterias put for protection makes it difficult for holders of
TCEs to benefit from such protection.
Trademark law is another IP tool that can be used for the protection of TCEs. The
proclamation for trademark registration and protection No 50/2006 defines trademark as
Any visible sign capable of distinguishing goods or services of one person from those of
other persons. It includes design, letters, numerals, colors or the shape of goods or their
packaging or the combinations thereof313.The registration process involves certain
procedural steps. Under the trademark registration and protection proclamation, the
registration process includes four stages: filing of the application, examination,
publication, opposition, and registration314.
Given that trade mark protection permits some degree of control over the use of
registered trademarks it may315: provide redress for the appropriation of expressions of
folklore, such as folkloric symbols, through injunctive remedies for trade mark
infringement; compensate traditional community for their contribution through payment
of royalties for use of words, names or symbols or through damages for infringement;
and promote the authentication of genuine folkloric products through the use of special
collective or certification marks. The process involved in the application to obtain
trademark and the limited duration are some of the problem they face to ascertain their
rights.316
311
. A proclamation on industrial design Inventions, Minor Inventions and Industrial Designs Proclamation. Federal
Negarit Gazeta Year 54 No. 25. Proclamation No. 123/1995.
312
. Id. Art.
313
.Trade Mark Protection Proclamation. Federal Negarit Gazeta Year 12 No. 37. Proclamation No. 501/2006.
314
. Id. Art.
315
. Supra note 5
316
. Id
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4.4. The Draft Law on the Protection and Commercialization of TCEs

Recognizing the need to protect TCEs in Ethiopia the EIPO prepared a draft law on the
protection of community knowledge. Community knowledge under the draft law is
defined as knowledge, skill, practice passed on from generation to generation created
maintained or developed by a community or communities and it includes folklore ,
traditional medical practice and genetic resource317.
4.4.1. Subject Matter of Protection
At the international level its understood that attempting to come up with a single
definition of TCEs should not be attempted. Because by attempting to define TCEs, there
was a risk of freezing or restricting the rights at the time that they were defined, hence not
fully taking into account their evolutionary nature. Rather one should explore models of
protection which did not require the elaboration of a formal definition of TCEs or that
fully recognized the changing nature TCEs. Ethiopias view is not different from this.
Ethiopia held the view TCEs should to some extent be self- definitional, allowing the
understanding of traditional or local communities of what constituted cultural
expressions.
The term folklore is defined under the draft law as traditional tangible and intangible
heritage developed and maintained over generations by a community or by individuals
reflecting the traditional artistic expression318. Intangible cultural heritage is ,defined in
Proclamation 209/2000, as any cultural heritage that could not be felt by hands but could
be seen or heard and included different kinds of performances and shows, folklore,
religious beliefs, wedding and mourning ceremonies, music, drama, literature and similar
cultural values, traditions and customs of nations, nationalities and peoples. This
definition of folklore is different from the model provision in that it covers heritages
that are not artistic like traditional beliefs, scientific views etc. The model provision
accords protection only to artistic heritages.
317
.A draft law on Intellectual property protection of community knowledge 2014
318
. Id.Art 2(4)
Page|74
Under section 3 of the draft law an illustrative enumeration of the kind of expressions of
folklore that are protected is found. Expressions of folklores that are protected under the
draft law are the following;
verbal expressions, such as folk tales, folk poetry , riddles319;
expressions by action, such as folk dances, plays and artistic forms or rituals320;
musical expressions, such as folk songs and instrumental music321;
religious and cultural festivals; Article322
productions of folk art, in particular, drawings, paintings, carvings, sculptures323
pottery, terracotta, mosaic, woodwork, metalwork, jewellery, basket weaving,
needlework, textiles, carpets, costumes architectural forms 324
4.4.2. Terms of Protection
The draft law deals the issues of ownership right, terms of protection, duration and
registration of community knowledge in the general provision in section 2. Regarding
the ownership right to community knowledge the draft law states if the community
knowledge is found and maintained by a given community or a local administration then
the ownership right will vest only on the given community or local government325. A
community is defined as a human population living in a distinct geographical area and
it may include religious institutions326. A local administration is defined as a place
which is demarcated based on the place where community knowledge is found and it
includes Worda, Zone, and state administrations.327
319
. Id.Article 3(2)(1)
320
. Id.Art 3(2)(2)
321
. Id Art 3(2)(3)
322
. Id Art 3(2)(4)
323
. Id Art 3(2)(5)
324
. Id Art 3(2)(6)
325
. Id Art 4(1)
326
. Id Art2(11)
327
. Id Art 2(10)
Page|75
A joint ownership will be granted in two situations. The First one is If the community
knowledge is created and maintained by different communities or different local
administration328 and the second situation is when community knowledge is created and
maintained by individuals from the given locality and different the local administration or
it is created by individuals from different communities or local administration329. In cases
where the owner is unknown the state will be the owner330.
If a dispute arises on the ownership right of a community knowledge the law authorizes
the state council if the dispute is between local communities or individuals within or the
house of federation when the dispute is between two states to see the matter331.
The owners of TCE enjoy both economic and moral right. According to article 3(1) of the
draft proclamation the owner or owners of folklore have the exclusive right to authorize
the following acts; access, print, reproduce and distribute a fixed folklore , importation or
exportation of original or copies of the folklore; broadcasting of folklore , adaptation,
arrangement or other transformation of folklore, public display of folklore, communicate
the folklore to the public, fixation, performance of folklore, rental , share benefits with
owners of the intellectual property right obtained based on the folklore and other
communication of the folklore to the public and benefit.
The draft law also confers moral rights which include the right to claim authorship of his
EOF, to object any distortion, mutilation or other alteration of the folklore, where such an
act is or would be prejudicial to the honor or reputation of the authoring
community/individual/group.
4.4.3. Duration of Protection

Under the draft law the moral right of the holders of TCEs is perpetual332. However, the
duration for the protection of their economic right is as long as community knowledge is
created, maintained and protected based on the communities tradition and culture and it
328
. Id Art 4.(2)
329
. IdArt 4(3)
330
. Id Art 4(4)
331
. Id Art .4(5)
332
. Id Art. 6(3)
Page|76
reflects the community/communities day to day life and identity333. If the holder of right
is an individual the duration of protection is 25 years calculated from the time he/she puts
it for commercial use334.
4.4.4. Transfer and Authorization of Rights on Folklore

The owner of the EOF is entitled to permit utilizations or transfer of its rights on its
expressions of folklore partially or totally subject to authorization335. The process of
authorization, it follows from article 11of the draft provision that an authorization must
be preceded by an application submitted to the EIPO in writing336. The owner of the EOF
has the right to collect fees for authorization337. The payment could be made in kind or it
could be made through contribution to the development of the community338. The
purpose for which the collected fees must be used is determined by the draft law. The law
offers the choice between development of the community and development of the country
or for research on the community knowledge.
4.4.5. Limitations on the Right

There are special cases enumerated under the draft law where there is no need to obtain
authorization from the owner of TCEs. These are when the TCEs is used for personal
use339, educational purpose340, incidental utilization of the TCEs341 and when it is used by
non-profitable libraries, museums342.
4.5. Documentation in Ethiopia

Most TCEs are passed down from generation to generation orally hence are not
documented properly. Documentation plays an important role in strategies for the
333
. Id Art. 5&6(1)
334
. Id Art 6(2)
335
.Id Art. 11(1)
336
. Id Art 11(2)
337
. Id Art 12(1)
338
. Id Art 12(1)
339
. Id Art 3(4)
340
. Id Art.3(5))
341
. Id Art (3(4)
342
. Id Art 3(5)
Page|77
safeguarding of cultural heritage and traditional cultures. It provides clarity to support

legislative regulation of folkloric expressions in intellectual property law. In Ethiopia as
of now there is no database for TCEs. Apart from the collection made by Different
individuals and an association there is no collection of TCEs in the country. For example
the Niqiya oral literature association was established in 2002, with the objective to
collect, analyze, classify and publish different oral literary materials of various nations
and nationality of Ethiopia343.
Currently, the EIPO is working to establish a national data base for community
knowledge that includes TMK, GR and TCEs344. Before any collection of folklores is
made the collection process should be backed by a law. The task of establishing a
database for community knowledge is entrusted to EIPO under the draft law345. To
establish the data base the EIPO has made a research on the matter. The research pointed
out the necessity and importance of a data base for the protection and preservation of
community knowledge. The experience of China, India and Korea was taken as the best
bench mark for the establishment of database in Ethiopia346.
Under the draft law database is defined as an information store used to identify and store
the countries knowledge with the aid of computer347. Registration is allowed under the
draft law for the purpose of establishing database348. The registration could be made by
the owners of the community knowledge or by the EIPO349. In order to get registered the
community knowledge has to be fixed350. However it is to be noted that the fact that it is
343
. Supra note 282
344
.supra note 287
345
.Supra note 316. Art. (8(2)
346
. E A I AE /
E 2005 ..
347
.Supra note 316. Art. 2(8)
348
. Id. Art. 7(1)
349
. Id
350
. Id Art 7(4)
Page|78
not registered doesnt mean its not going to be protected. Fixation is only required in
order to get registered not protected351.
However, because of the money, involvement of Information Technology experts that are
essential to ensure digital recordings are being properly stored and cataloged and the time
it takes to establish data base the EIPO has decided to give priority to the establishment
of database for TMK.
351
. Id Art.7(5)
Page|79
CHAPTER FIVE
5 Conclusions and Recommendations
5.1. Conclusion
The absence of a clear understanding of TCEs as well as a well-defined policy and
regulatory structure has contributed to the current appropriation and inefficient use of
TCEs. Communities have thus failed to realize the full potential of their TCEs as a tool
for socioeconomic development.. TCEs are currently used by members and non-members
of communities without an understanding about how to clearly define them. The TCEs
are also communally owned which creates challenges in proper accountability for use.
Discussions on international legal norms for the protection of TK/TCE have been
ongoing since the late 1990s. It has been discussed in several international forums. The
increased interest in this sphere is primarily a response to the negative effects of
economic globalisation on indigenous communities. In particular, there is a risk of the
knowledge and creativity of traditional communities being continuously appropriated and
commercialised by global players without any possibility for these communities to prevent
this352. However, even if four decades have passed only little advances have been made on
the most important issues like the subject matter, beneficiaries, rights, or protections
In order to control misappropriation of expressions of folklore, today countries use the

existing intellectual property regime or they establish of a sue generis system. In Ethiopia
even though the country has so many TCEs a law to protect it has yet to come out. The
conclusion is that without developing and agreeing upon a clear understanding of TCEs,
they will be constantly subjected to misuse.
352
.supra note163
Page|80
5.2. Recommendations
This paper has discussed significant problems with protecting TCEs under modern
intellectual property laws. The problem emanates from the very nature of Traditional
cultural expressions. TCEs are created in a gradual fashion for use by traditional
communities which eventually own it and as such expect a group right in the TCEs which
can exist in perpetuity.
Accordingly, the writer endorses the adoption of separate legal arrangements to
accommodate the uniqueness of the Ethiopian folklore. It is imperative to come
up with laws that Confers IP rights and entitlements in the creators of any TCEs
works by passing a sui generis law on culture recognizing entitlements, rights and
obligations of authoring communities.
The law on TCEs should reflect a clear policy direction and stipulate a clear
objective for protection that strikes a balance between recognizing the rights of
communities in their TCEs and the societys interest in using TCEs as inspiration
for further development and dissemination and individual creativity.
The role of administrative bodies is most significant in the protection of TCEs.
Administrative support is important because the communities that produce these
works may not have the capacity to conduct arms-length commercial transactions
to obtain appropriate remuneration for their works. They may also lack the
capacity to pursue infringers in courts of law. Therefore, a clear law should be
stipulated to designate an appropriate body to assist authoring communities in
identification, conservation, preservation, dissemination and protection of
expressions of folklore
Creation of databases and other records of TCEs serve as a tool for the proper
administration of TCEs as well designating owners of the particular TCEs. As a
result a clear law on the documentation, recording and archiving of what
constitutes each area of an Ethiopian folkloric expressions that ought to be
protected against inappropriate exploitation must be promulgated.
A clear law should be stipulated that confers the right to communities to utilize
the fees collected from the transfer of some or the whole right communities have
on TCEs on the development of the authoring community itself.
Page|81
Page|82
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ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES

Property Rights Approach towards Traditional Cultural

By: Seble Mulat

Advisor: Biruk Haile (Assistant Professor)

A Thesis Submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of LL.M.

Name of Participant: _____________________ Signature --------------- Date -------------

Name of advisor: ______________________ Signature--------------- Date ---------------

Addis Ababa University

School of Graduate Studies

By: Seble Mulat

Approved by Board of Examiners

First, thank you the Almighty God for where I am today.

and constructive suggestions.

always be indebted to you.

me an insightful in to the topic at hand.

never reached the finishing line.

Abstract ............................................................................................................................. vii

2.3.2. Owners of TCE ........................................................................................... 12

This thesis addresses a number of pertinent issues concerning Traditional Cultural

CICH- Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

CDCE - Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions

EIPO- Ethiopia Intellectual Property Office

EOF- Expressions of Folklore

ILO- International Labor Organization

IP- Intellectual Property

IPRs- Intellectual Property Rights

TCEs Traditional Cultural Expressions

TK- Traditional Knowledge

TRIPS- WTO Agreement on Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights

UN- United Nations

UNESCO- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

UNPFII- United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

WIPO- World Intellectual Property Organization

WIPO-IGC- WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic

Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore

WTO- World Trade Organization

WPPT- WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty 1996

1.1. Background of the Study

As a result intellectual property framework is used as a tool to protect and to benefit

The protection of folklore, and whether an intellectual property framework should be

1.2. Statement of the Problem

The protection of traditional cultural expressions has now become an issue at

1.3. Objective of the Study

1.3.1. General Objective

1.3.2. Specific Objective

Explaining the need and rational of protection of TCEs in Ethiopia

1.4. Research Questions

This research will answer the following main research questions;

Can the existing IPR laws adequately protect TCE?

1.5. Significance of the Study

1.7 Scope of the Study

1.8 Limitation of the Study

interviews with personnel at the relevant institutions. In addition lack of sufficient

1.9 Organization of the Study

2 TRADITIONAL CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS IN THE

2.1. Introductory Remarks on Traditional Cultural Expressions

2.2. Traditional Cultural Expressions and Traditional Knowledge

Traditional knowledge refer [s] to tradition-based literary, artistic or scientific works;