Using intellectual property tools to protect traditional cultural expressions/traditional knowledge related issues at arts festivals

Abstract

This paper provides information on intellectual property issues that arise in relation to arts festivals, with a specific focus for traditional cultural expressions (TCEs) and traditional knowledge (TK) related issues. The Festival of Pacific Arts is a celebration of Pacific arts, culture and knowledge. A great wealth of TCEs and TK will be showcased at the Festival including music, dance, drama, photography, craft, visual arts, sculpture, cultural practices including food preparation, canoeing, basket-making and medicinal preparations. To protect against intellectual property infringement and TCE/TK appropriation, a mix of IP tools such as copyright and trade marks, as well as contracts, and protocols can be useful