Minding Culture: Case Studies on Intellectual Property and Traditional Cultural Expressions

Minding Culture gives actual examples of how industrial designs, copyright and trademarks have been used by indigenous Australian communities to protect and promote their artworks, cultures and identities, as well as their economic interests. The case studies point out where traditional communities found existing systems useful and where they were found inadequate. The studies convey the suggestions of these communities for policy and practical measures that could improve the protection of traditional cultural expressions by intellectual property. The case studies provide traditional communities, as well as policy makers, legislators and other stakeholders, with realistic, empirically-based options and new ideas for future policy development.