IPA & Folklore Protection

IPA has been actively participating in the international debate on folklore protection in various fora, including in the ongoing negotiations at WIPO. IPA supports the protection of folklore because its formal identification and acknowledgement at international level in itself strengthens respect for traditional cultural expressions.

However, IPA also believes that any international framework for the protection of folklore should ensure that the positive impact of publishers’ activities on the culture which they operate is not threatened. In particular, IPA tries to ensure that any possible new international framework does not conflict with one’s freedom of expression.

Most of IPA’s position papers submitted to WIPO in the course of the recent debate are available under "Position Papers - Letters - Statements".

For general information on WIPO’s work relating to folklore protection, see WIPO TKGR/TCE Division.

Please contact IPA’s Legal Counsel to find out more about IPA’s work in this area: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it