Towards protecting Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions in Romania

On May 19th and 20th, two days of practical workshops with the custodians of Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions took place in Beiuș, Bihor County. The objective of the workshop was to strengthen knowledge in the field of Intellectual Property (IP), with the aim of developing a strategy for legal protection through IP and promotion of Traditional Knowledge, Traditional Cultural Expressions,  and crafts in Țara Beiușului region, Bihor County, Romania.  

The project entitled "Supporting Cultural Sustainability and Economic Revitalization in the Region of Țara Beiușului in Romania through the Protection and Promotion of Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions" is implemented by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), at the request of the Romanian Copyright Office (ORDA) and the State Office for Inventions and Trademarks (OSIM) in collaboration with the national expert Av. Monica Florina Boța Moisin from the Cultural Intellectual Property Rights Initiative® (CIPRI). 

Running over a period of 14 months, from November 2024 to December 2025, the project aims to support local communities in the Beiușului Country by protecting and promoting traditional practices and local knowledge through conventional IP and Cultural IP tools. This project is a pilot project that aims to lay the foundations for a national legal framework to protect and promote Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions and to create economic opportunities based on Traditional Knowledge and local and customary traditions. Beyond Țara Beiușului, the project aims to serve as a model for other regions in Romania facing similar challenges.

The practical workshops were attended by delegations from the Municipality of Beiuș and the six municipalities selected to participate in the pilot project: Budureasa, Buntești, Căbești, Lunca, Remetea and Rieni, as well as representatives from WIPO, ORDA, OSIM and CIPRI. The Mayor of Beiuș Municipality, Mr. Gabriel Popa and the Mayor of Căbești Commune, Mr. Ioan Gheorghe Blaj were also present. 

Following the workshop, representatives of the delegations discussed the potential to protect and promote Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions through a strategy comprising a collective trademark, geographical indications  and sui-generis protection options such as the 3C Rule Consent. Credit. Compensation© and protected databases of Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions. All these elements will be taken into account in developing the final IP strategy.  

Photo credits:

"Supporting cultural sustainability and economic revitalization in the Țara Beiușului Region of Romania through the protection and promotion of Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Cultural Expressions". Photos by Silviu Popovici.