Selam Ethiopia announces IP workshop

SIPRE is an 18-month national initiative funded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)’s International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD).

This project, carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Sport, the Ethiopian Intellectual Property Authority, and the Ethiopian Music Sectoral Associations Union, addresses the critical need for better protection and enforcement of intellectual property (IP) rights in Ethiopia’s visual and performing arts sectors.

SIPRE is supported under UNESCO’s 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, a global framework ratified by 146 parties, including Ethiopia. This Convention guides UNESCO’s efforts to empower countries to create, produce, and distribute cultural goods and services, ensuring that their cultural and creative industries thrive. The Convention also underpins the IFCD, which grants funds to nations like Ethiopia that are committed to implementing public policies that strengthen these sectors.

Through national campaigns, workshops, and educational resources, SIPRE will enhance understanding of IP rights among artists and key stakeholders. The project includes training programs on IP laws, copyright registration, and enforcement mechanisms. An online platform will also be launched to streamline copyright processes and provide vital information to Ethiopian artists.

“As a national project with regional engagement, SIPRE will contribute to preserving Ethiopia’s cultural heritage while fostering economic growth through improved IP protection,” a statement reads.

The initiative aligns with the 2005 Convention’s broader goals of strengthening governance for culture, improving artists’ mobility, integrating culture into sustainable development strategies, and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms – all linked to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Founded in 2005, Selam curates festivals, concerts, tours, and club nights, showcasing global music with a focus on African, Latin American, and Caribbean sounds. The organisation also runs the independent record label, Selam Sounds.

The latest announcement follows the non-profit’s April Culture and Creative Industry Summit in Ethiopia, Music and Film Edition 2024, where industry experts, artists, and educators convened at Addis Ababa University to discuss trends in music and film, future education, copyright challenges, and the growing influence of streaming platforms.