SODAV, COJOJ: Sign Copyright Agreement for Dakar 2026

• SODAV and COJOJ signed a convention on Thursday, September 17, 2026, to manage and protect author and related rights for JOJ Dakar 2026.
• The agreement formalizes intellectual property rights management, going beyond administrative royalty payments to officially recognize creators' rights at an international event.
• Both organizations emphasized the deep connection between sport and culture, aiming to embed Senegalese and African artistic creation at the core of the Games.
• The JOJ Dakar 2026 will serve as an international platform to promote Africa's diverse cultural heritage, with the convention ensuring compliance with Senegalese intellectual property laws.
• This landmark agreement signals a commitment to elevating and protecting the contributions of Senegalese and African creators on a global stage.

This convention establishes a formal and enduring framework for the management and protection of author and related rights, signaling a significant commitment to intellectual property within the context of a major international sporting event.

Just days before the commencement of the Jeux olympiques de la Jeunesse (JOJ) Dakar 2026, a pivotal agreement was formally established to govern the management and protection of intellectual property rights associated with the event. On Thursday, September 17, 2026, the Société sénégalaise du droit d’auteur et des droits voisins (SODAV) and the Comité d’organisation des Jeux olympiques de la Jeunesse (COJOJ) signed a convention designed to safeguard author and related rights linked to the Games' activities. This initiative underscores a commitment to integrating artistic and cultural creation at the core of this significant international sporting gathering.

The signing ceremony marks a crucial step in the preparations for JOJ Dakar 2026, an event poised to unite young athletes from across the globe in Sénégal. This collaboration between the worlds of sport and culture solidifies a partnership focused on the protection and valorization of creative works and their originators. The agreement aims to ensure that all creative contributions to the Games are managed within a clear and enforceable legal structure, setting a precedent for future large-scale events in the region.

Aly Bathily, the Director General of SODAV, lauded the COJOJ's proactive approach, emphasizing that this formal collaboration represents a vital development for the cultural sector. He revealed that discussions between the two entities had been ongoing for over a year, characterized by mutual understanding, respect, and a shared commitment to compliance. Bathily stressed that the convention extends beyond mere administrative procedures for royalty payments; its true significance lies in officially recognizing creators' rights during an international event of this magnitude, thereby strengthening the Senegalese copyright law Olympics framework.

Ibrahima Wade, the General Coordinator of the COJOJ, described the convention as a foundational element in the JOJ Dakar 2026 preparations. While collaboration between the institutions existed previously, this signing provides a formal and durable framework. The primary objective is to embed the respect and fair valorization of Senegalese, and indeed African, artistic and cultural creation at the very heart of the Games' organization. This comprehensive SODAV COJOJ copyright agreement Dakar 2026 aims to ensure full compliance with Senegalese intellectual property laws and regulations.

Both leaders highlighted the intrinsic link between sport and culture. Aly Bathily pointed out that major sporting events are invariably accompanied by extensive cultural activities that enrich their overall dimension. He noted that this complementarity holds particular resonance in the African context, where sport is deeply embedded in the continent's daily life and cultural fabric. Bathily cited traditional sports competitions held in communities following harvests as an example of the long-standing connection between athletic practices and cultural expressions.

Ibrahima Wade echoed this sentiment, stating that contemporary sport transcends mere athletic competition, with significant events gaining depth from the cultural manifestations and expressions that accompany them. He underscored that the JOJ Dakar 2026 provides an unparalleled opportunity to promote Sénégal's tangible and intangible heritage, as well as the rich diversity of African cultures. This event serves as an international showcase for the continent's cultural wealth, ensuring the protection des droits d'auteur JOJ Dakar is paramount.

The organization of the JOJ for the first time on African soil, coupled with this robust intellectual property agreement, sends a powerful message to Senegalese and African creators. Aly Bathily views the integration of a strong cultural dimension into the event as a clear signal regarding their rightful place in this major international gathering. The convention ensures that the Dakar 2026 author rights management is not merely an afterthought but a central pillar of the event's planning and execution.

This convention establishes a formal and enduring framework for the management and protection of author and related rights, signaling a significant commitment to intellectual property within the context of a major international sporting event. It solidifies the objective to respect and fairly valorize artistic and cultural creation, providing a structured environment for artists and content creators involved with JOJ Dakar 2026 to have their contributions recognized and protected under the new Sénégal intellectual property JOJ 2026 guidelines.

Lawyers advising artists, content creators, or sponsors involved with JOJ Dakar 2026 must understand the new formal framework for intellectual property rights management established by the SODAV-COJOJ convention. This agreement signals active enforcement of author and related rights, necessitating careful review of licensing and usage agreements for any creative works associated with the event.

Source: Original reporting via {source}