Traditional Knowledge Laws: Egypt

Subject Matter of Protection

Article 138

(6) Derivative work: A work which is derived from an existing one, such as translations, musical re-arrangements, compilations of works, including readable databases, from the computer or otherwise, and collections of expressions of folklore, which by reason of the arrangement and selection of their contents, are considered as created works.

(7) National folklore: Any expression which consists of distinctive elements reflecting the traditional popular heritage, which originated or developed in Egypt, including in particular:

(a)  Oral expressions such as folk tales, poetry and charades, and other folklore;

(b)  Musical expressions such as popular songs accompanied by music;

(c)   Motion expressions, such as popular dances, plays, artistic forms and rituals;

(d)   Tangible expressions such as:

--Products of popular plastic art, particularly drawings with lines and colours, engravings, sculpture, ceramics, pottery, woodwork and any inlaid designs, mosaics, metal or jewellery, hand-woven bags, needlework, textiles, carpets and clothes; 

--Musical instruments;

--Architectural forms.

Article 140 

Protection under this Law is conferred to authors of literary and artistic works and particularly the following works:

(13)  Derivative works, without prejudice to the protection prescribed for the works from which they have been derived. Protection shall cover also the title of the work if it is inventive. 

Scope of Protection

Article 142

National folklore shall be considered part of the public domain of the people. The competent ministry shall exercise the author's economic and moral rights and shall protect and support such folklore.