Article 21 of the Law on Culture (2012) recognises the organisation of art and artistic events, creative competitions, exhibitions, creative evenings, cultural and art presentations, festivals for promotion, encouragement and development of Azerbaijani culture as a part of organisational activities in the field of culture. Furthermore, article 25 provides that creative persons, winners of festivals and competitions who have made notable contributions to the development and promotion of culture shall be awarded honorary titles, scholarships, etcetera. In addition, article 45 of this law approves that public funding of cultural events and development projects in music, choreography, theatre and circus, et cetera, organised by non-governmental organisations, is expedient.
The Law on Legal Protection of the Samples of Azerbaijani Folklore (2003) regulates relationships arising from legal protection, use and maintenance of national folklore expressions, which are a component of cultural heritage as a particular type of intellectual property. The law refers to artworks, folk music, games and dances, folk handicraft and applied arts, and other products of folk work created and protected by the Azerbaijani people. Article six of this law (“Requirements for the use of folklore samples”) states that the forms of traditional, standard and commercial use of folklore expressions in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan shall be free. Legal and natural persons of other states shall be entitled to use folklore expression outside the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan for commercial purposes only with the authorisation by the relevant executive body and with payment of the fee for use. That fee shall be used for the promotion of intellectual creativity and the safeguarding and enriching of folklore expressions. Article 8 of the law provides that in cases of mass performance and notification of folklore samples, their source, as well as the geographical name of the place of origin of the folklore sample used and (or) the name of the people (society) to which they belong must be clearly indicated.
The Law on Theatres and Theatre Activities, initiated by the Ministry for Culture, entering into force in 2006, governs the relations arising in the preparation and mass demonstration of theatrical performances, and determines the legal basis of theatrical activities and state support of theatres. The law establishes an institution of theatre producers. It brings new impetus to the infrastructural reforms and development of professional Azerbaijani theatre, which has a rich history dating back a century and a half. Chapter IV of this law (“Exclusive right to live performance of theatrical productions”) defines the subjects of the exclusive right in connection with the live performance of a theatrical performance, rights of authors, producers and performers, duties of the producer in connection with the protection of the creative solution of the theatrical performance and protection of the right to theatrical performance.
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