Sui Generis Rights for the Protection of Traditional Cultural Expressions: Policy Implications

• Author: K. Bizer - M. Lankau - G. Spindler - P. Zimbehl
• Pages: 114-119

2011

Kilian Bizer, Matthias Lankau, Gerald Spindler, Philipp Zimbehl

114

2

Abstract: Within the international community

there have been many calls for better protection of

traditional cultural expressions (TCEs), for which clas-

sic instruments of intellectual property rights do not

seem to fit. In response, at least five model laws have

been advanced within the last 40 years. These are re-

ferred to as sui generis because, though they gener-

ally belong to the realm of intellectual property they

structurally depart from classic copyright law to ac-

commodate the needs of the holders of TCEs. The

purpose of this paper is to provide a well-founded

basis for national policy makers who wish to imple-

ment protection for TCEs within their country. This is

achieved by systematically comparing and evaluating

economic effects that can be expected to result from

these regulatory alternatives and a related system or

private ordering. Specifically, we compare if and how

protection preferences of local communities are met

as well as the social costs that are likely to arise from

the different model laws.

Sui Generis Rights for the Protection

of Traditional Cultural Expressions

Policy Implications

by Kilian Bizer, Matthias Lankau, Gerald Spindler, Philipp Zimbehl, Göttingen*

© 2011 Kilian Bizer, Matthias Lankau, Gerald Sp indler, Philipp Zimbehl

Everybody may disseminate this ar ticle by electr onic means and make it ava ilable for download under the terms a nd

conditions of the Digit al Peer Publishing Licence (DPPL). A copy of the license tex t may be obtained at http://nbn-resolving.

de/urn:nbn:de:00 09-dppl-v3-en8 .

Recommended citation: Kilia n Bizer, Matthias Lankau, Gerald Spindler, Philipp Zimbehl, Sui Generis Rig hts for the Protection

of Traditional Cultural Expressions : Policy Implications, 2 (2011) JIPITEC 114, para. 1.

Keywords: Sui generis, traditional cultural expressions, policy, private ordering, law and economics

A. What is the Regulatory

Choice Problem?

1







    

  

   

    



  

    

  



  



  







 







 

   

  



  

  



2

    

    

   



   

    

  

   



