There are few images of outstanding representatives of art and
culture with their use as scrupulously regulated as that of
Fryderyk Chopin. The famous composer with a French-sounding name
became the symbol of Polishness to a far greater extent than other
well-known Poles. It is therefore hardly a surprise that the Polish
business is striving to appropriate this personage, in search of
icons and symbols to drive the promotion and product sales.
The work of Fryderyk Chopin is recognised as national heritage
since 1991 (in accordance with the resolution of the Senate of the
Republic of Poland). Since 2001, his legacy has been protected by
the Act of February 3, 2001 on the protection of the heritage of
Fryderyk Chopin (Dz. U. of 2001 No. 16, item 168). The proper use
of the name and image of the master composer are the responsibility
of the minister for culture and protection of national heritage,
who entrusted it, under Art. 1 section 5 of the Act, to the
