The interesting project of Indecopi called “Revaluing the Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria and the ancestral origin of its dances”

What is the update?

In January 2024, the Peruvian Trademark Office, INDECOPI, through its regional office in Puno, began a project called “Revaluing the Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria and the ancestral origin of its dances” that seeks to protect, through intellectual property, the artistic and cultural expressions that occur during this festival each year.

What changes does it make to existing legislation?

It does not make any changes to existing legislation.

Why it is significant?

This project of INDECOPI will last 12 months and allows those who participate in this festival, such as artists, folk groups, producers, to receive training, talks, advice on the importance and advantages of protecting their artistic expressions such as music, choreography, costume design, through registration of marks, copyright, among others.

What are the implications of this update to your jurisdiction?

The implications of these measures are to promote and make known the importance of the protection of intellectual property in our country and to protect in this case the art that is manifested in this type of festivities from the costumes, the music, dance, among other artistic expressions.

What kind effect do you see this update having - is it positive or negative?

We see that this update has a positive effect because this way, value is given to art and culture in our country and at the same time the development of folk groups, Quechua and Aymara artists is encouraged and promoted, training them so that they know the benefits of registering their art through trademark registration, copyright, etc.

What do you hope this update will achieve/what has this update achieved?

This update has achieved that in this project of INDECOPI participate researchers, anthropologists, historians, writers, exposing the historical evolution of Puno dances and the cultural value of the Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria and among those who receive or will receive the training are the Federation of Art and Culture of Puno, members of folklore groups, whether dance or costume, bands of musicians, and others.

How do you predict that the intellectual property sector will proceed based on the effects of this update?

We think that the intellectual property sector will continue to provide training, talks, and advice to different groups of people, from different sectors and regions of the country with the aim of making them aware of the possibilities they have of registering their trademarks, patents, industrial designs, copyrights and the benefits that registration provides them. It is interesting because these trainings can be carried out in languages other than Spanish, such as Quechua or Aymara, and thus ensure that populations who do not speak Spanish learn about intellectual property.