Georgia's National Intellectual Property Centre on Monday said tovlis babua, the Georgian equivalent of Santa Claus that stands for "Snow Grandpa", would be copyright-protected as an "intellectual property of Georgia”.
The Centre said the New Year’s Eve figure symbolises the enduring and compelling desire within people to do good. He represents one of the most remarkable expressions of humanity's creativity - a joyful way of promoting kindness”.
It added the registration served as a “reminder that intelligence and creativity [...] hold the power to transform dreams and aspirations into reality”.
In a message for the run-up to end-of-year festivities, the body said “[w]e must believe the clock of our dreams will start ticking on New Year's Eve with the arrival of tovlis babua, letting us know when our dreams will come true”.