Latest news with #LabelMaroc
Ya Biladi
08-07-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco signs MoU with WIPO to boost cultural heritage protection
Morocco has signed a memorandum of understanding with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to enhance cooperation in the field of intellectual property, particularly in the protection of copyright and cultural heritage. The agreement was signed on Monday by Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication Mehdi Bensaid and WIPO Director General Daren Tang, on the sidelines of the WIPO General Assemblies in Switzerland. The deal paves the way for Morocco to integrate new legal tools, such as resale and reproduction rights, via the WIPOCONNECT system. It also aims to promote the «Label Maroc» internationally, reinforcing the legal safeguarding of Moroccan cultural heritage through the country's Intellectual Property Office.
Maroc
08-07-2025
- Business
- Maroc
Morocco, WIPO Ink MoU to Strengthen Legal Protection of Moroccan Cultural Heritage
Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohammed Mehdi Bensaid, signed on Monday in Geneva a memorandum of understanding with the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Daren Tang. The signing took place alongside Morocco's participation in the WIPO General Assemblies, taking place in Geneva from July 8 to 17. The agreement aims to deepen bilateral cooperation in the field of intellectual property, with a particular focus on copyright and related rights, as well as the legal protection of Morocco's cultural heritage. It also provides a path to benefit from WIPO's expertise in intellectual property and to adopt new legal concepts, such as resale rights and reproduction rights, through integration with the WIPOCONNECT system. A key feature of the agreement is the promotion of the "Label Maroc" internationally, enabling Morocco to strengthen the legal safeguarding of its cultural heritage under the framework of the Moroccan Office of Intellectual Property. Morocco has already registered several heritage elements, including the caftan and zellige, which will now enjoy reinforced legal protection through WIPO mechanisms. While UNESCO grants countries international recognition of cultural heritage, WIPO offers legal recognition that empowers states to pursue claims before competent authorities in cases of theft or misappropriation. This agreement will allow Morocco to secure WIPO's support in countering the looting of its cultural assets. In a statement to MAP following the ceremony, Bensaid highlighted that the agreement aims to strengthen the capacities of the Moroccan Copyright Office (BMDA) in several strategic areas. "Our ambition is to develop within the BMDA the defense of emerging rights, drawing on international expertise that will serve as a powerful lever to open new opportunities for artists and the cultural sector as a whole," he said. The agreement is also an opportunity to deepen understanding of the cultural economy and to renew skills at a time when the sector is undergoing rapid transformation, the minister added. "With the rise of artificial intelligence and new technologies, it is essential to remain attuned to global trends and innovative practices," he emphasized, stressing that this commitment is fully aligned with Morocco's vision of preserving and enhancing its cultural heritage, especially intangible heritage. Bensaid further noted that Morocco has already begun the process of seeking WIPO recognition for seven elements of its heritage, with the objective of expanding and consolidating this legal protection in the framework of collaboration with the Geneva-based organization. "The Kingdom of Morocco is the first country to have undertaken the protection of its intangible heritage from a purely cultural, rather than commercial, perspective. This is our first initiative with WIPO, but certainly not the last," the minister stated. The Moroccan official and WIPO Director General had bilateral talks on the sidelines of the signing ceremony, which was attended by several senior officials of the organization. They reviewed the level of cooperation between Morocco and WIPO and discussed key joint projects, including expert exchanges and capacity-building visits to help secure the rights of authors and creators. MAP:07 July 2025
Morocco World
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
Morocco Signs Agreement with WIPO to Legally Protect Its Cultural Heritage
Rabat – Morocco has taken an important step to protect its rich cultural heritage. The Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Daren Tang, the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva on Monday. This new agreement aims to strengthen cooperation between Morocco and WIPO in the field of intellectual property, especially when it comes to copyright, related rights, and the legal protection of Moroccan cultural heritage. The agreement also allows Morocco to benefit from WIPO's expertise and introduces new legal concepts such as resale rights and reproduction rights, using the WIPOCONNECT system. One of the main highlights of the agreement is the promotion of the 'Label Maroc,' a mark of excellence that will help Morocco promote and protect its heritage internationally. The ministry said in a statement that thanks to this deal, elements of Moroccan heritage such as the caftan and zellige will be protected under international intellectual property law. This will allow Morocco to legally defend its cultural creations if they are copied or misused. Fighting cultural appropriation While UNESCO gives countries international recognition of cultural elements as part of humanity's shared heritage, WIPO provides the legal recognition that helps countries like Morocco fight back in cases of cultural appropriation or theft. This agreement means that if a country or company tries to use Moroccan traditions without permission or respect, Morocco can now take legal action with the support of WIPO. The signing of the agreement Minister Bensaid also held talks with WIPO's Director General about strengthening the partnership between Morocco and the organization. They discussed plans to exchange experiences and host expert visits to support Moroccan artists and creators. Morocco has a rich and diverse culture known around the world, from the colorful caftan and the intricate zellige, to Gnaoua music, and traditional cuisine. In recent years, however, Morocco has faced multiple cases of cultural appropriation, where foreign fashion brands or influencers used Moroccan designs, symbols, or clothing styles without giving credit or understanding their history. For example, international fashion houses have used Moroccan-inspired patterns in their collections without acknowledging their origin. In some cases, Moroccan crafts have even been marketed as products from other countries. To fight this, Morocco has been working to register its heritage legally, both nationally and internationally. This includes adding cultural elements to UNESCO's list of intangible heritage and now, through WIPO, giving them legal protection. Tags: Cultural AppropriationCultureMoroccan Culture
