In Australia, appropriation of Aboriginal symbolism is considered offensive, and under mooted changes to moral rights law [1], indigenous communities would be able to sue for damages.
Moral rights law is limited to art, i.e., visual, written, architecture, film and television. It does not extend to cultural folklore or sentiment. It is therefore possible to name a piece of software Namatjira [2], but at the risk of invoking a backlash. On the global scene, UNESCO has been running symposiums on the copyright protection of folklore [3], which could conceivably prevent appropriation of cultural symbols in future. -Tim [1] Background on Australian moral rights legislation: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/lawrpt/stories/s278801.htm http://www.abc.net.au/rn/arts/atoday/stories/s222198.htm http://www.abc.net.au/rn/arts/atoday/stories/s218612.htm [2] http://www.naa.gov.au/Publications/fact_sheets/FS145.html [3] http://www.unesco.org/culture/copyright/folklore/html_eng/index_en.shtml > -----Original Message----- > From: Greg Wilkins [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Monday, 22 December 2003 4:44 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: Why I am opposed to retaining the name Geronimo, and whi I > consider this VOTE to be biased. > > > > > Tim Anderson wrote: > > If this project can get written permission from Geronimo's descendents > > or his custodians, then by all means use the name Geronimo. > > If not, find another name. > > Tim, > > I don't think permission is needed to reuse a name. > > There a probably millions of people out there called Jesus. > Babies are named all the time after famous people. > I know cats called Albert Einstein. > David Beckams first child was named after a bridge in new york > I'm named after 3 popes and I'm not even catholic. > > > cheers > > > >
