IP Australia welcomes ‘ground-breaking’ report on indigenous knowledge
IP Australia has published what it says is a “ground-breaking” report on methods for valuing the contribution of indigenous knowledge to the economy.
The report, published today, November 28, marks the first effort to bring together various “piecemeal” attempts made at establishing a framework for measuring the economic value of indigenous knowledge, according to the IP office.
The office commissioned the Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research (CAEPR) to produce the report, noting that there was an “information gap” on the value of indigenous knowledge to the economy.
CAEPR said it had tried to design an approach to market valuation of indigenous knowledge “through the use of IP instruments including patents, trademarks, licences, geographical indications, plant breeder’s rights and copyright”.
According to the report, legally enforceable instruments such as IP and contracts are among the most useful tools for measuring the value of indigenous knowledge.
Indigenous knowledge also raises the value of labour, the report said.
With respect to assets which “embody indigenous knowledge”, the productivity of workers using that knowledge increases, the CAEPR said, allowing them to demand higher levels of pay.
“The fundamental challenge is to ensure that indigenous knowledge is both adequately rewarded, and that the owners or custodians of that knowledge are primary beneficiaries,” the report said.
IP Australia said the report was tied to its recent indigenous knowledge consultation, previously reported by WIPR.
A report based on the consultation process, published in August, mooted a number of new policy measures aimed at improving the protection of indigenous knowledge, including a ban on ‘offensive’ marks.
“Many non-indigenous people are not aware of the cultural protocols surrounding the ownership and use of indigenous knowledge or the offence caused by misappropriation,” IP Australia said.
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IP Australia welcomes ‘ground-breaking’ report on indigenous knowledge
