Law Ministry in Bengkulu Maps Intellectual Property Potential in Seluma
Bengkulu (ANTARA) - The Bengkulu Regional Office of the Ministry of Law has mapped the intellectual property potential of Seluma Regency as an initial step towards providing legal protection for community works and establishing zones for creative works and industrial designs.
“The intellectual property potential held by Seluma Regency is a regional asset that must be protected and developed. Through synergy between the regional government, businesses, artists and the community, we hope that more local works and potential will receive legal protection, thereby boosting the region’s competitiveness and adding value to community welfare,” said Nova Harneli, Head of the Intellectual Property Services Division at the Bengkulu Ministry of Law Regional Office, in Bengkulu on Wednesday.
She said the inventory exercise was carried out on 13-14 July 2026 through coordination with a number of regional apparatus organisations within the Seluma Regency Government, to map intellectual property potential while strengthening synergy in protecting community works.
At the Seluma Regency Tourism, Youth and Sports Office, the team inventoried nine regional songs with the potential to be registered as copyrights. The Bengkulu Ministry of Law Regional Office is also preparing copyright registration assistance for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), artists, cultural figures and creative communities.
Meanwhile, coordination with the Seluma Regency Education and Culture Office identified three intangible cultural heritage items with the potential to be registered as communal intellectual property, namely the Sekujang tradition, the Manjo-Manjo dance and Rejung.
In addition, the team encouraged the acceleration of completing communal intellectual property registration documents for the Pancung Gunia dance and the Nelas dance, so that their registration certificates can be issued promptly in line with the evaluation results of the Directorate General of Intellectual Property.
In coordination with the Economy Division of the Seluma Regency Regional Secretariat, discussions focused on strengthening protection of the geographical indication for Tenun Bumpak Seluma woven fabric. The team assessed that guidance for artisan groups still needs to be improved to maintain the quality, production consistency and reputation of the product.
The Bengkulu Ministry of Law Regional Office also invited the regional government to strengthen collaboration in safeguarding the sustainability of Tenun Bumpak Seluma, so it can enhance the competitiveness of local products while providing economic benefits to the community.
The mapping activity series concluded with coordination with the Seluma Regency Industry, Trade, Cooperatives and SMEs Office, which discussed progress on the establishment of the Red and White Village Cooperatives programme.
At that meeting, the team encouraged facilitation of collective trademark registration for the cooperatives as part of the Directorate General of Intellectual Property’s action plan, while expressing readiness to provide assistance until the application process is completed.