Traditional Knowledge Laws: Bahrain

Subject Matter of Protection

Article 1 - Definitions

Derived Work - A work which derives its origin from a previously existing work, or from folklore.

Folklore - Any composition taken from inherited tradition be it oral, musical or of movement as expressed in distinct elements  reflecting a popular traditional heritage which arose, developed and is conserved in a specific geographical area, and which cannot be attributed to a known author, particularly including the following:
(a) Popular stories, sayings, riddles and slogans.
(b) Popular songs accompanied by music.
(c) Popular dances and shows.
(d) The products of popular art, such as sketches or coloured
drawings, sculptures, pottery and ceramics, wood and metal carvings, ornamentation, needlework, textiles, rugs and tapestries, clothing, musical instruments and building styles.

Performers -Actors, singers, musicians, dancers and other parties who act, sing, recite, chant, or in any way perform any of the following:
(a) Works, whether protected or unprotected by the provisions of this Act, or which have passed into the public domain due to the expiry of the period of protection.
(b) Folklore.

Article 3

Protection under this Act is accorded to derived works. In particular this includes:
(b) collections of works or of folklore such as encyclopedias or anthologies, and databases, readable either by computer or other means, as long as creativity exists in the selection or arrangement of the contents of those collections and databases.

Scope of Protection

Article 69

Folklore which reflects the popular traditional heritage that arose, developed and is conserved in the Kingdom - is the public State property, and can only be employed appopriately and put to good use. This must not involve the defacement of that folklore and must make mention of its source. The competent Authority has the right to issue a judicial order to prevent any use of folklore that violates these provisions.