A Portrait of Trade in Cultural Goods: in respect of the WTO and the UNESCO Instruments in the Context of Hard-Law and Soft-Law

Abstract

Cultural Goods have the dual nature of being related to both culture and economy. The WTO considers the trade aspects and UNESCO gives value to the cultural aspects of cultural goods. Therefore, there are interactions between the provisions, institutions and practices of the WTO Agreement and UNESCO CDCE on trade in cultural goods. This book examines potential conflicts between the two agreements. In doing so we are proposing three routes to enhance legal coherence between them: propose an improved interpretation of the instruments; harmonise through hard law; and foster mutual supportiveness through soft law.

The Author

Dr. Hassan Fartousi, research fellow at the World Trade Institute