Digital Rights/Indigenous Knowledge

Moahi, K. H. (2004). Copyright in the Digital Era and Some Implications for Indigenous Knowledge. African Journal Of Library, Archives & Information Science, 14(1), 1-14.

Moahi, University of Botswana, Department of Library and Information Studies, discusses copyright, fair use, and copyright and fair use in the digital era based upon the United Nation’s World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).  A unique indigenous knowledge (I.K.) or traditional knowledge discussion presents definitions, South African examples, and the concept of community ownership of knowledge.  Copyright and Fair Use information is thorough and general to the needs of the information manager, basing most decisions in WIPO and United States courts.  Moahi’s unique discussion is of indigenous language is of interest to overseers of indigenous collections.  Indigenous Knowledge is defined as “a body of knowledge belonging to communities or ethnic groups, shaped by their culture, traditions and way of life.”   Its characteristics:  not owned by one individual; passed orally; and it has the potential to provide economic returns.  Indigenous knowledge is perceived as collective property and owned by communities.  Many times the owner of the knowledge is a specific custodian or a chief.  Preservation of IK is a major issue.  Preservation requires documenting it.  The IK being in fixed format is automatically copyrighted.  Historically, historians or anthropologists who documented material have been credited owners of the culture, traditions, way of life and indigenous knowledge. WIPO has some procedures in place, yet has not established regulations preventing abuse and piracy.