Various intellectual property (IP) issues arise in relation to arts festivals. In preparation for the upcoming Festival of Pacific Arts taking place in American Samoa in July 2008, WIPO participated in a recent meeting of the Council of Pacific Arts to address these IP issues.

Written by WIPO's consultant Terri Janke, 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.

See also Terri Janke's presentation to the meeting here.

http://www.wipo.int/export/sites/www/tk/en/folklore/culturalheritage/pdf/janke_synopsis.pdf