Newest form of Intangible Asset Designation – Heritable Knowledge Trust – Published in the International Bar Association’s Journal

Date:  Mon, 2009-05-11

Newest form of Intangible Asset Designation – Heritable Knowledge Trust – Published in the International Bar Association’s Journal

Charlottesville, VA. – May 11, 2009 –– M·CAM Executive Chairman Dr. David Martin’s recommendations for the newest form of intangible asset have been published in the International Bar Association’s (IBA) journal Convergence April 2009 edition. This breakthrough innovation in the legal framework to support the stewardship of indigenous knowledge, artistic expression, and communal practice is the first, non–property right based proposal to deal with the ethical management of this frequently exploited content. Drawing on contract law precedent, the Heritable Knowledge Communal Innovation Trust model creates the legal framework for countries with communal rights that have been largely ignored or marginalized by the World Trade Organization’s World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This work was informed by consultations with the leadership of the Independent State of Samoa; the Kingdom of Tonga; the Provincial Government of East New Britain Province and the regional Government of the Gazelle Administrative District, Papua New Guinea; the Government of the Republic of the Fiji Islands; together with the personal contributions of Ms. Theresa Arek; Mrs. Alise Stunnenberg; Mrs. Margaret Malua; Mr. Va’atu’itu’i Apete Meredith; Mr. Tony Weller; Mr. Julian Webb; Ms. Valerie D’Costa; and, Mr. Seth Ayers. While the final recommendation does not represent the individual views of these interests necessarily, their contributions were invaluable and are inextricable to the framework which emerged.