Limited powers limits Maori Trademark Advisory Committee
1 min read
The Intellectual Property Office Commissioner has approved the application by the United States company, PTFS/LibLime.
As part of the trademark process, requests for the use of Maori words are generally run by the Maori Trademark Advisory Committee.
Its chair Karen Te O Kahurangi Waaka-Tibble admits the authority of her committee is limited.
She says in the mid-1990s there was an expectation by Maori to have a far greater role on trademark matters.
Mrs Waaka-Tibble says the primary role of the current committee is to tell the Intellectual Property Office Commissioner if a trademark proposal is offensive to Maori.
In this year’s Waitangi Tribunal decision on the WAI 262 claim, the report recommended setting up a new commission – which would hear objections to taonga being used commercially.
Copyright 2011, Radio New Zealand
Maori Trademark Advisory Committee – what a bunch of sellout traitors
When someone tries to BUY your whakapapa it is offensive!! This kupu is a tamariki o te iwi M?ori. Its whakapapa is to te iwi M?ori.