<![CDATA[Abstract The Tor-tor Dihar Sitarlak dance is one of the Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCEs) of the Simalungun community and constitutes a form of Communal Intellectual Property (CIP) with significant historical, philosophical, and cultural value. However, the preservation of this traditional dance faces several challenges, including the limited public understanding of legal protection, the declining number of dance masters, the decreasing interest among younger generations due to globalization, and the insufficient dissemination of information regarding its existing legal protection status. These conditions indicate a gap between formal legal recognition and its practical implementation within the community, making this study necessary. This research aims to analyze the legal protection afforded to the Tor-tor Dihar Sitarlak dance as Communal Intellectual Property, examine the preservation efforts undertaken by the Simalungun community, and identify the obstacles and challenges encountered in preserving this traditional cultural heritage. This study employs an empirical legal research method with a qualitative approach, as it enables an in-depth examination of the implementation of legal protection based on actual conditions in the field. Data were collected through interviews with the Department of Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy of Simalungun Regency, customary leaders, owners of art studios, and local community members, and were complemented by a literature review of relevant legislation and scholarly sources. The findings reveal that legal protection for the Tor-tor Dihar Sitarlak dance has been established through its registration as Communal Intellectual Property within the Regional Cultural Thought Framework (Pokok Pikiran Kebudayaan Daerah—PPKD) in accordance with Law Number 28 of 2014 concerning Copyright. Nevertheless, the benefits of such legal protection have not been fully realized by the community due to the limited dissemination of information. Preservation efforts are carried out through collaboration among the local government, customary leaders, artists, cultural communities, and the broader community by maintaining the performance of the dance in customary ceremonies and cultural events. It is concluded that although legal protection has been normatively established, its implementation has not yet been optimal. Future research is recommended to examine the effectiveness of Communal Intellectual Property protection for Traditional Cultural Expressions across different regions as an effort to strengthen the preservation of traditional cultural heritage. Keywords: Legal Protection, Tor-tor Dihar Sitarlak Dance, Traditional Cultural Expressions, Communal Intellectual Property, Simalungun Community. Abstrak Tari Tor-tor Dihar Sitarlak merupakan salah satu Ekspresi Budaya Tradisional (EBT) masyarakat Simalungun yang termasuk dalam Kekayaan Intelektual Komunal (KIK) dan memiliki nilai historis, filosofis, serta budaya. Namun, pelestarian tarian ini menghadapi berbagai permasalahan, seperti rendahnya pemahaman masyarakat mengenai pelindungan hukum, berkurangnya jumlah maestro tari, menurunnya minat generasi muda akibat pengaruh globalisasi, serta belum optimalnya sosialisasi mengenai status pelindungan hukum yang telah diberikan. Kondisi tersebut menunjukkan adanya kesenjangan antara pengakuan hukum secara administratif dengan implementasinya di masyarakat, sehingga penelitian ini perlu dilakukan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis bentuk pelindungan hukum terhadap Tari Tor-tor Dihar Sitarlak sebagai Kekayaan Intelektual Komunal, mengetahui upaya pelestarian yang dilakukan masyarakat Simalungun, serta mengidentifikasi hambatan dan tantangan yang dihadapi. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode penelitian hukum empiris dengan pendekatan kualitatif karena mampu menggambarkan pelaksanaan pelindungan hukum berdasarkan kondisi yang terjadi di lapangan. Data diperoleh melalui wawancara dengan Dinas Kebudayaan, Pariwisata dan Ekonomi Kreatif Kabupaten Simalungun, tokoh adat, pemilik sanggar seni, dan masyarakat, serta didukung oleh studi kepustakaan terhadap peraturan perundang-undangan dan literatur yang relevan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pelindungan hukum terhadap Tari Tor-tor Dihar Sitarlak telah dilakukan melalui pencatatan sebagai Kekayaan Intelektual Komunal dalam Pokok Pikiran Kebudayaan Daerah (PPKD) sesuai Undang-Undang Nomor 28 Tahun 2014 tentang Hak Cipta. Namun, pelindungan tersebut belum sepenuhnya dirasakan masyarakat karena minimnya sosialisasi. Upaya pelestarian dilakukan melalui kerja sama pemerintah daerah, tokoh adat, pelaku seni, komunitas budaya, dan masyarakat dengan mempertahankan tarian dalam kegiatan adat dan kebudayaan. Disimpulkan bahwa pelindungan hukum telah tersedia secara normatif, tetapi implementasinya belum optimal. Penelitian selanjutnya disarankan mengkaji efektivitas pelindungan KIK terhadap EBT di berbagai daerah sebagai upaya memperkuat pelestarian budaya tradisional. Kata Kunci: Pelindungan Hukum, Tari Tor-tor Dihar Sitarlak, Ekspresi Budaya Tradisional, Kekayaan Intelektual Komunal, Masyarakat Simalungun.]]>
