Re: WIPO Roundtable on IPR and Indigenous Peoples (fwd)

["Krishna E. Bera" <kebera@Cyblings.ON.CA>]

Thanks to Robert@essential.org for posting that.  I apologize in advance for 
the cynical tone of my response below and hope i'm not out of line with the 
purpose of this list.

Mr. Roberto Castelo said:
> ...the time has come for sharing
> information and experience concerning protection of the traditional
> knowledge of indigenous peoples, 

The traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples is passed on by word of mouth 
and by actions, from generation to generation as part of their way of life.  If 
we are interested in protecting their knowledge, the solution is simple: leave 
them alone!  Don't impose "development", "education", writing, religion, or 
"property", never mind money or "intellectual property".

> and for increased awareness of the mechanisms which the existing intellectual
> property system may offer for the enhancement of such protection. 

Yes, let's discuss the protection the mafia can offer to those that pony up the 
nominal fee.  As noble as the sentiment might be, this is the devil's deal.  If 
you accept the validity of intellectual property, you must confine your  
rhetoric to the precepts embodied in it and accept the consequences: immoral 
constructs such as the "right to pollute" and sociopathic agents such as the 
modern corporation (which might be seen as autonomous intellectual property).

In my view, the fact that indigenous peoples are participating does not 
legitimize the process - people will take any port in a storm.  Of course, i 
could be completely off track and would be interested to hear an indigenous 
person's perspective.

Cheers,

--
Krishna E. Bera,    "Programmer on the loose"