The ECTA Annual Conference is just around the corner! There is still a chance to register, hurry up and secure your spot here!

Following the very recent adoption by the WIPO Member States of a new international WIPO Treaty on IP, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge, the Conference attendees will gain first-hand information on this historic development and discuss further how to protect traditional creativity and cultural expressions in a session moderated by Jordi Güell (GÜELL IP, Spain).

1. Introduce yourself and your link to ECTA.

I am the Treasurer of ECTA and member of the Board of Directors. My involvement with ECTA dates back to 1996, when I attended my first ECTA Annual Conference in Alicante, the year when the EUIPO (at that time OHIM) started operating. I was very young at that time - In fact, it was the year when I started working in IP.

2. Introduce the topic of your Conference session.

Indigenous art copied onto carpets, T-shirts and greeting cards, traditional music fused with techno-house dance rhythms to produce best-selling albums, handwoven carpets and handicrafts copied and sold as ‘authentic’, the process for making a traditional musical instrument patented, indigenous words and names trademarked and used commercially. These are the kinds of examples that Indigenous and other traditional and cultural communities cite when arguing that traditional creativity and cultural expressions require greater protection. Are they original works? Who do they belong to? Are they in the public domain? And most importantly, is intellectual property the best way to protect them? In this session, we will try to shed some light on this.

3. Introduce the panel of your Conference session.

The session will start with a presentation from Edward Kwakwa, Assistant Director General of WIPO, who will introduce the topic and will brief us on the recent Treaty adopted by WIPO Member States on IP, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge. This is the first WIPO Treaty to address the interface between IP, genetic resources and traditional knowledge held by Indigenous Peoples and local communities. It is a real privilege to have Mr Kwakwa on our panel.

Marie Malaurie, Law Professor in Paris, will be speaking about the sensitive and political topic of cultural appropriation in the field of fashion. As an academic, Marie Malaurie's intervention will present the theoretical debates on the subject as well as the legal, national and international instruments.

Finally, Nick Holmes, IP lawyer from Australia, will be speaking about the importance of Indigenous culture from an Australian and New Zealand perspective, contrasting significant differences between the recognition given to each country’s Indigenous peoples. His presentation aims to provide practical real-world discussion on why laws are not the only ways in which indigenous IP can be protected and how brand owners can work with indigenous artists collaboratively. Nick will also present examples of the Māori “haka” from his home country of Aotearoa New Zealand, which should wake up any tired ECTA attendees!

4. Why should Conference participants join your session, and at whom in particular will your session be directed?

The session is addressed to all IP professionals who are interested in knowing more about the relationship between IP protection and the preservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage.

5. Why should IP colleagues register for the ECTA Annual Conference?

ECTA combines top-quality sessions with a great atmosphere. This year, we will have around 900 attendees and we have prepared everything with the utmost care. The Gala Dinner at Handelsbeurs will be the cherry on top!

**Find out more about the other educational sessions here or watch the video teaser about the academic program here!**