Morocco strengthens legal tools to combat cultural plunder with WIPO support
Morocco’s culture ministry has reinforced its legal arsenal to combat the illicit appropriation and trafficking of its cultural heritage, with the signing of a new partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
The agreement aims to better protect the country’s rich traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, and artifacts from misappropriation, particularly in the fashion and design industries, the ministry said in a statement.
Morocco is aligning its national legislation with international standards, including WIPO protocols and the UNESCO 1970 Convention, it said, adding that these reforms will enhance Morocco’s ability to reclaim stolen artifacts, register traditional crafts, and prosecute cultural crimes more effectively.
As part of this effort, Morocco has also registered collective certification marks for iconic elements of its cultural heritage. These include the “Caftan”, a label protecting the authenticity of traditional Moroccan caftans, and “Zellige”, which safeguards the intricate mosaic tilework that is emblematic of Moroccan architecture.
These registrations, filed with the Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property (OMPIC), aim to prevent unauthorized commercial use and ensure that artisans and communities benefit from their cultural creations.
The partnership with WIPO comes in response to growing concerns over cultural appropriation, especially by global fashion brands that have been accused of using Moroccan motifs and designs without proper attribution or benefit-sharing.
The new legal tools will allow Morocco to assert its cultural sovereignty and ensure that its heritage is respected and protected on the global stage.
The initiative also includes capacity-building programs for Moroccan institutions and artisans, as well as efforts to digitize and document intangible cultural heritage. By working closely with WIPO, Morocco is positioning itself as a regional leader in the protection of cultural property and traditional knowledge.