Protecting traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions through cultural heritage and human rights norms in Colombia

Abstract

This paper deals with the legal protection of traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions through cultural heritage and human rights norms, considering the situation in Colombia. The first part of the paper observes the subject matter from the cultural heritage perspective. The second part sets forth the human rights viewpoint, emphasising some steps taken by the Colombian Constitutional Court. The last part offers a discussion of possible ways to explain some interactions between these two approaches, as well as between them and the intellectual property regime.