Dance Hall Crashers

Can you copyright an ancient dance?  A South Korea dance troupe thinks they can, and the ensuing Intellectual Property battle is just beginning:

"Lee Hyuk-ryeol, Ubong’s son-in-law and the head of Ubong Lee Mae-bang Art Company, argues that the reason the organization registered copyrights for the dances was the 'preservation of the original' and to make 'clear recognition of the original creator' when Ubong’s dances are being taught and performed. However, the Society for the Preservation of Ubong Lee Mae-bang’s Dance claimed it was 'the beginning of seeking profit.' 

The National Dance Company of Korea was the first organization to find itself having to deal with the repercussions of the copyright. The money first became an issue. The company’s successful show 'The Banquet' features various traditional dances including Ogomu as part of the performance. After last year’s performances of 'The Banquet,' the National Dance Company of Korea is said to have received a fine for copyright violation worth 9 million won ($8,000). However, Lee denied charging the National Dance Company of Korea for copyrights, arguing that his art company only insisted on specifying the original creator of some of the dances in the show’s program. Lee claims that the 'National Dance Company refuted my request by saying that they’ll pay the fine if we can prove that the dance is a ‘creative work.’ 

'We’ve never sought profit,' Lee claims, while the National Dance Company said they will 'put the decision on hold until the country’s dance industry makes a decision on whether Ogumo is a tradition or a creation.'”

My general opinion is that for the most part South Korea would benefit from stronger and stricter I.P. laws in general.  However, this sounds more like straight-up abuse of the entire concept.