Latest News
20/12/11
Christmas may be protected next year
A little-noticed recommendation in the Hargreaves Report addresses the protection of national cultural icons, particularly UK-style Christmas celebrations, by way of a registered Designated Cultural Icon (DCI).
There have been proposals in other parts of the world for retrospective protection of national cultural icons. A few years ago the Egyption Government considered extending perpetual copyright to the pyramids. It wouldn't be effective internationally but it would enable the Government to control home activities such as taking photographs and selling poor quality souvenirs. Similarly, the Indian Government looked at protection for the Taj Mahal - prompted by the construction of a life size replica by a film company. Christmas is of course not unique to the UK, but the traditional package of celebrations, albeit largely sourced from Germany and other countries, is. In combination, the Christmas tree, crackers, cards, Morcambe and Wise, the Royle Family and the Queen's speech, represent a special celebratory ritual. The procedure is still under consultation but it is hoped that the register will be up and running in time for the 2012 season. As with the Olympics Regulations, traders will have to get permission before they can use designated terminology, such as 'Christmas', and the UKIPO will be charged with policing 'ambush marketing'.
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