Choreographing a piece isn’t just about moving to music, it’s about composing in space, crafting unique sequences, and expressing ideas through the body.
On international dance day, we celebrate those who turn movement into meaning. Icons like Pina Bausch, Martha Graham, and George Balanchine didn’t just change the way we dance: they also understood the value of their creative work.
but can a dance actually be protected?
The answer is yes. While individual moves aren’t always protected, a full choreography can be -as long as it’s original, structured, and fixed in some way (like through video, notation, or written choreography).
so how does intellectual property apply to dance?
Through copyright, as a choreographic work.
Through trademarks, if the name of the show becomes recognizable.
Through related rights, if the performance itself holds artistic value.
Through license agreements with third parties for the use of copyrighted works.
Even through digital tools, like timestamping, to help prove autorship.
Dancers like Graham, Balanchine, and Bausch didn’t just leave behind powerful performances – they had legal strategies in place to protect and preserve their legacy.
Innovation doesn’t end on stage! Protecting your work is part of the choreography.
