The Ministry of Culture has announced plans to set up dedicated Intellectual Property (IP) Education Cells across its academies, centres, and constituent units to raise awareness about IP rights among artists. These cells will assist artists with IP registration and facilitate Geographical Indication (GI) registration for traditional cultural products such as musical instruments.
The initiative aims to strengthen the protection of India’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage by ensuring that artists are well-informed about their IP rights. The Ministry highlighted the importance of safeguarding Traditional Knowledge (TK) and cultural expressions linked to community identities.
To achieve this, the Ministry of Culture is working closely with the Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). These collaborations are expected to enhance IP awareness programs and provide legal and technical assistance for artists and artisans.
The Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) has been designated as the nodal agency for Intellectual Property Rights in the cultural sector. SNA ensures artists’ consent prior to participation in events and provides training and performance opportunities to grassroots talents, contributing significantly to India’s cultural economy.
Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, shared this information in a written reply to the Lok Sabha today, reiterating the government’s commitment to promoting IP awareness and protecting India’s rich artistic traditions.
