Bensaid Calls for Strengthening the Right of Resale to Protect Visual Artists and Promote Cultural Justice in Africa
Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, has called for the enhancement of the right of resale as a fundamental tool to protect visual artists and ensure cultural justice in Africa. He reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to strengthening legal frameworks to safeguard the rights of creators.
During the opening of the African regional seminar on the right of resale, organized on Tuesday in Rabat by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in collaboration with the Moroccan Bureau of Copyright and Neighboring Rights, Bensaid noted that the meeting represents “the beginning of a common African movement towards a fairer and more transparent art market.”
The minister explained that the right of resale goes beyond being a legal mechanism; it is a legitimate acknowledgment of artists’ contributions to cultural and economic wealth and empowers them to receive a fair share of the added value generated from the resale of their artworks.
Bensaid highlighted Morocco’s legislative achievement with the adoption of the resale right law in June 2022, which came into effect in July 2023. He considered this a reflection of the Kingdom’s will to protect visual artists and modernize copyright systems in line with international standards.
He emphasized that these reforms form part of a comprehensive national vision under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, who has established culture and intangible value as two fundamental pillars for enhancing the Kingdom’s developmental model, stressing the importance of securing a transparent and safe legal environment for artists and creators.
Bensaid pointed out that the seminar represents a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences among African countries and discuss practical ways to implement the right of resale, mentioning the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Morocco and WIPO to enhance cooperation in the fields of copyright and cultural heritage protection.
He underscored WIPO’s pivotal role, particularly acknowledging its Director General Daren Tang and Deputy Director General Silvia Forbin for their guidance in assisting African countries to build modern legislative frameworks in the field of intellectual property. He concluded by emphasizing the necessity for the seminar to produce practical recommendations to promote cultural justice and restore the dignity of the African artist as a maker of memory and a bridge between civilizations.
