Posts Tagged "culture"

A Better Second Attempt – Protection of Indigenous Knowledge

Posted on Apr 8, 2015

A Better Second Attempt – Protection of Indigenous Knowledge

On 20 March 2015 the Department of Science and Technology published the first draft of the Protection, Promotion, Development and Management of Indigenous Knowledge Systems Bill, 2014 (the “IKS Bill) and called for comments. The Chair of IP Law has responded to this call and delivered extensive representations on the IKS Bill authored by two of its members, Prof Karjiker and Dr Kleyn. The full text of Prof Sadulla Karjiker’s comments is available here.  The full text of Dr Madelein Kleyn’s comments is available here.  Below follows an overview of the IKS Bill in its...

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The Winning Choice For Traditional Culture

Posted on Jul 20, 2013

The Winning Choice For Traditional Culture

Note: Seldom will the VineOracle descend into the dust of the arena, even when the winner is known to her in advance. But on this occasion she considers it necessary to expound upon the recent developments in IP legal development for the sake of those who care to learn. Here is her report on the match between two opposing, albeit ill-matched, forces seeking to use the intellectual property law system for the protection of traditional knowledge. In 2004 the Cabinet  approved the adoption of a policy on Indigenous Knowledge Systems, known as the IKS Policy. Pursuant to this the...

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HOT OFF THE PRESSES – Sui Generis TK Bill Published In The Gazette

Posted on Apr 9, 2013

HOT OFF THE PRESSES – Sui Generis TK Bill Published In The Gazette

Roll up and hear the good news! Today the new sui generis Protection of Traditional Knowledge Bill was published in the Government Gazette, signalling a major step toward the protection of traditional knowledge (TK) in South Africa. Full text of the Bill available here.  This Bill is based on the Protection of TK Bill drafted by the incumbent of the Stellenbosch Chair of IP Law (CIP), Prof Owen Dean, and was tabled in Parliament by Dr Wilmot James earlier this year amid widespread and serious criticism of Government’s current attempt at protecting TK through the Intellectual Property Laws...

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From the horse’s MOUTH? – Government’s views on the National Anthem

Posted on Jul 2, 2012

From the horse’s MOUTH? – Government’s views on the National Anthem

Government, and more particularly the Departments of Trade and Industry and Arts and Culture, entered into the current controversy around the ownership of the copyright in the National Anthem by issuing a media release on 18 June 2012. With respect, its contribution to the debate evidences the same lack of knowledge and insight into Copyright Law that is apparent in its ill-conceived and executed Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill (the infamous so-called “Traditional Knowledge Bill”) In regard to the ownership and duration of the component parts of the current National Anthem,...

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The Pot Of Gold At The Beginning Of The Rainbow

Posted on May 23, 2012

The Pot Of Gold At The Beginning Of The Rainbow

The Iziko South African Art Gallery is currently featuring an expedition entitled “A Centenary Celebration of the life and work of Barbara Tyrrell”.  Barbara Tyrrell is a South African artist and author and the exhibition comprises a selection of over 150 of her highly decorative and accurate visual reproductions of Southern African tradition costumes and tribal dress, as well as items of adornment.   The various subject matters comprise traditional South African art works and are themselves copyright artistic works. During the 1950’s and 1960’s Barbara Tyrrell undertook a journey...

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