Traditional Knowledge Laws: Mozambique

Subject Matter of Protection

Section 4 - Material scope

(1) - This Law shall apply in particular to literary, artistic and scientific works that are original intellectual creations in the literary, artistic and scientific fields, namely:
      (l) expressions of folklore.

Annex glossary

13. "expressions of folklore" means productions of elements characteristic of the traditional artistic heritage, developed and perpetuated by a community or by individuals and recognized as responding to the wishes of that community, including popular songs, dances and shows, as well as the artistic expression of rituals and productions of folk art.

15. "folklore" means works created on the national territory by anonymous authors or an unknown group, transmitted by successive generations and constituting one of the fundamental elements of the traditional cultural heritage.

Beneficiaries or Rightholders

Section 31 - Works of folklore

(1) Ownership of the copyright in works of folklore vests in the State, which shall exercise its rights through the Council of Ministers, without prejudice to the rights of those who collect, transcribe, arrange or translate them, provided that the collections, arrangements or translations are original and respect the authenticity of the works.