24 Jan 2023

It is crucial for museums to protect and respect the intellectual property rights of the creators and owners of artefacts and works of art.

The Companies and Intellectual Property Authority (CIPA) branch manager in Serowe, Ms Alice Mpuang said when officially opening an intellectual property and copyright workshop held at Khama III Memorial Museum in Serowe on January 23.

Ms Mpuang said artefacts and works of art were acquired from the communities, donors, researchers and photographers hence the need to understand the extent to which copyright affects them in their work.

She explained that common types of products in museums affected by copyright included cultural, scientific and educational publications in general that incorporate drawings or photographic images, teaching materials, audio-visual and multimedia productions.

Other products include software databases, compilations of data materials, photographic objects and works of art from the museum’s collections, audio-recordings, filming, publications on CDs, audio visual works, multimedia productions and traditional cultural expressions which covers songs, performances and poems, she added.

‘’It is imperative therefore for museums to establish policies on intellectual property or copyright, which will guide delivery of their mandate and how they should relate with owners of rights of works in their collections,’’ Mpuang said.

She highlighted that copyright laws also provide for limitations and exceptions, which allows institutions such as museums to use copyright protected works without need for authorization by owners, saying ‘’all goes to show that the protection of copyright is a topic that museums need to familiarize themselves with.’

Museums, she said should have a governing policy as they play a pivotal role in preserving, conserving and managing collections research as well as showcasing cultural heritage.

Most of the valuable historical documents, artefacts and works of art that they house, she said were not only important to the nation but also have historical and cultural significance on a global scale.

The manager indicated that the ultimate outcome was for participants to work together to develop a national model policy on copyright for museums.

Ms Mpuang said it was quite impressive that the Khama III Memorial Museum with support from UNESCO had taken the initiative to capacitate museum officials on the importance and the implementation of copyright in museums.

However, beneficiaries of the four day workshop held under the theme, ‘’Towards National Copyright Policy Model for Botswana Museums,’ included officials from Nhabe museum, Supa Ngwao from Francistown, Kuru Development Trust in Ghanzi, Kgosi Bathoen II in Kanye, Kgosi Sechele I in Molepolole, Orapa diamond, Phuthadikobo in Mochudi.

In his welcome remarks, the acting paramount chief of Bangwato, Kgosi Serogola Seretse said cultural heritage was central to protecting the sense of who they are.

He said it gave them an overwhelming connection to the past, certain social values, beliefs, customs and traditions that allowed them to identify themselves and deepen their sense of unity, belonging and national pride.

‘ Kgosi Seretse said to raise public awareness with regard to the cultural heritage both in the country and abroad, there was need to develop training courses for law enforcement authorities, customs and judicial authorities. Ends