The Urgency of Protection upon Traditional Cultural Expression at International Level

JAKARTA: The Indonesian Government through the authority of the Directorate General of Intellectual Property is actively inventorying Indonesian traditional cultural expressions. Based on Indonesia's National Data Centre for Communal Intellectual Property, almost all provinces have reported their traditional cultural expressions to the Director General of Intellectual Property. The complete listings are already huge that it cannot be included in this particular article. West Java Province, for instance, has recorded around 61 traditional cultural expressions, such as Sisingaan, Angklung Bungko, Tarling, Engrang, and Petak Umpet (Indonesian version of child’s play, hide and seek).

Indonesia is a country that has wide variety of culture, both cultural knowledge and expressions. Each culture has its own characteristics and uniqueness which take part, though not directly, defining this country’s multicultural society. It is unfortunate this condition often leads other countries to claim Indonesia’s culture to be theirs. Most recently, Malaysia have claimed Songket as part of their culture and have it registered at UNESCO.

Therefore, traditional cultural expression needs to be preserved properly, as it serves as an asset that can help national economic growth. The locals can develop such expressions and have them commercialized as part of tourism activity or delightful souvenirs for tourists.

Apart from creating a systemized inventory, the Director General of Intellectual Property also eagerly pursues for international regulation on traditional cultural expressions and traditional knowledge protection to exists.

Through the 45^th session of Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore (IGC GRTKF) which was held on 5 December 2022 in Geneva, the Director of Patent, Integrated Circuit, and Trade Secret, Drs. Yasmon, M.L.S. stated that it is important for international regulation on traditional cultural expressions and knowledge to exists, so they can obtain the international recognition they deserve, both for their economic and moral rights.

According to Director Yasmon, local communities possess the rights to own, manage, develop, and protect their intellectual property rights upon their preserved cultural heritage, particularly upon traditional cultural expressions and traditional knowledge.

He hoped this session could lead to significant progress to the substantial and constructive discussion on traditional cultural expressions and knowledge protection which can help resulting a draft of legal instrument deemed necessary, as mandated by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). (RKH – BDP/su)