Geneva: WIPO protects Morocco’s cultural heritage Copyrights

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has agreed to protect the registered copyrights of Morocco’s cultural heritage from illegal ownership, acquisition and usage.

The agreement was inked Monday in Geneva by WIPO Chief Daren Tang and culture minister Mohamed Bensaid. The UN agency has pledged to ensure legal protection to the original Moroccan brands, artistic works, handicraft creations…from piracy or infringement.

The agreement, which comes after the registration of the Moroccan “Caftan” and “Zellige” as protected international trade-marks, enables Morocco to have access to WIPOCONNECT system, an IT solution developed by WIPO.

This system facilitates the collective management of copyright and related rights. It manages licensing agreements, identifies and matches works which have been used, providing usage reports and the amount of royalties for licensed users of the trademark. It also tracks down illegal use of copyrights without permission. Breakers of copyright law face heavy penalties.