Industrial Architecture Between Heritage Protection and Intellectual Property Law: Reflection on "Steaua Română" Oil Refinery Complex

The article analyzes the relationship between industrial heritage and copyright in respect to the former “Steaua Română” refinery from Câmpina case, based upon the debates generated at the round table organized in July 2024 at Câmpina, within the Oltenia–Muntenia Architecture Biennale. In the case of the “Steaua Română” oil refinery, a landmark of the Romanian oil industry, originality, the key criterion for copyright, is assessed through the stratification of architectural interventions over time and the refinery’s continuous adaptation to technological change. Even in the absence of clearly identified authorship, the site’s industrial architecture may qualify for copyright protection provided that elements of originality can be demonstrated.

Taking into consideration the need to harmonize the interests of heritage conservation, urban development, and the applicability of the legal framework, this article proposes to consider the usefulness of integrating copyright issues into efforts to conserve and enhance the integrity of the industrial heritage. This integration is argued as an additional legal instrument with the ability to strengthen the cultural and legal legitimacy of the industrial architecture and to support the protection of the integrity of ensembles that possess cultural value.