The Ministry of Culture is actively engaged in promoting Intellectual Property (IP) awareness and protection in relation to India's rich cultural heritage. To this end, the Ministry is planning to set dedicated IP cells within its academies, centres, and constituent units to educate artists about IP rights, facilitate IP registration, and support Geographical Indication (Gl) registration of traditional products such as musical instruments. As part of its broader mandate to preserve and promote tangible and intangible cultural heritage, the Ministry emphasizes the recognition and safeguarding of the IP associated with cultural expressions.

Ministry also collaborates with bodies like the Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) to strengthen cultural sector IP initiatives. Special focus is given to the protection of Traditional Knowledge (TK) and GIs, considering their close linkage to cultural identity.

The Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) functions as the nodal agency for Intellectual Property Rights under the Ministry, ensuring artists' consent is obtained prior to their participation in events and activities, through its various centres across the country, SNA also provides training and performance opportunities to grassroots artists, contributing to the growth of India's cultural economy.

This information was given by Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 2146387)