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ARTICLE · 18 AUGUST 2025

Cultural Heritage And Sustainability As Intellectual Property Assets

Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG
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Cultural heritage is a tapestry woven from the memories, values, and creative expressions of us all—and it sits right at the heart of our shared identity.

CanadaIntellectual Property

Cultural heritage is a tapestry woven from the memories, values, and creative expressions of us all—and it sits right at the heart of our shared identity. But in our accelerated culture and the rapidly evolving landscape of the 21st century, the protection and sustainable use of cultural heritage are not only matters of preservation but also of innovation and economic opportunity.

From the standpoint of IP, the notion of heritage has become both an asset and a responsibility. This piece explores the challenges of striking the right balance between tradition, innovation, and value.

Defining cultural heritage

The notion of cultural heritage hinges on a combination of tangible and intangible assets. That's anything from monuments, buildings, artworks, manuscripts, archaeological sites, or objects of historical significance. While intangible heritage is far subtler. It may refer to practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills, often transmitted

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