فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Rabat, Morocco – In a new official move to promote and protect its national heritage, the Moroccan Ministry of Culture has announced the registration of “Zellij Fassi” as part of Morocco’s protected cultural heritage with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This announcement, which circulated in late August 2025, underscores Zellij’s status as an authentic and purely Moroccan artisanal tradition.
This registration is a continuation of the kingdom’s previous efforts to safeguard the intellectual property of its traditional crafts and reinforces the position of this art form, for which the city of Fes has been historically renowned.
Protection for “Zellij Tetouani” on the Horizon
In a related context, the Ministry of Tourism, Crafts, and Social and Solidarity Economy is continuing its efforts to register another form of Zellij art, “Zellij Tetouani,” with the same international organization. Reports indicate that in mid-2025, Morocco signed a new agreement with WIPO to enhance the intellectual property protection of intangible cultural heritage, including traditional crafts like Zellij.
This move comes amidst Morocco’s diligent efforts to protect its artisanal knowledge from claims of cultural appropriation. These initiatives demonstrate a national strategy to safeguard intellectual heritage, whether through trademarks or geographical indications, with the goal of preventing illegal use and enhancing the economic value for artisans.
These official measures confirm that Morocco places great importance on securing its tangible and intangible heritage on an international level to ensure its continuity and transmission to future generations.
