I, Bruceanthro am an anthropologist with a particular interest in natural/cultural landscapes, including particularly, the Wet Tropics World Heritage landscape, North-East Queensland, Australia.
Should any find it useful or should anyone need to contact me outside this userpage, I can and will receive e-mails sent to
bioculturalconnexions@yahoo.com.au
Intellectual Property Statement
In my professional capacity (outside of Wikipedia) I have done some work with Aboriginal groups of north-east Australia's wet tropical forests, particularly in relation to pre-existing (indigenous) knowledge economies persisting into the present.
In my greater ambition and endeavours to begin the process of documenting the natural and cultural history of north-east Australia's wet tropical forests (see above), and in my undertaking a WikiAnthropology project to document some of the cultural dimensions of geological features of the wet tropical forested region (cultural landscapes) .. I am wary not to offend the local Aboriginal knowledge economies I have otherwise sought to document and support.
For the above reasons, I have decided to include the following intellectual property statement within the talk pages for each of the artciles that make an Australian Aboriginal cultural landscape type contribution:
It is noted that some/much of the cultural landscape material relied upon in compiling this natural and cultural history (ranging from the 'naming' of places, to the stories/mythology for the places, plus the content of both the names and the stories) should properly be considered the intellectual and cultural property of those Aboriginal people's who first gave the material to be documented and recorded.
It is also recognised and noted that within local Aboriginal economies of knowledge great store is placed on the act of performing or presenting knowledge, and it is in fact by performing or presenting knowledge (or some version of it), that the ownership of the knowledge is established. The more frequently and effectively particular stories, knowledges, designs or skills are performed, the more they become stamped and owned by the performer, plus, the more the performers performances will be to 'purchase 'obligatory relationships against which claims to real world benefits can be drawn/demanded.
Recognising and acknowledging the above, it is not the authors intention, nor can it be considered Wikipedia's organisation's intention to rob the original performers, tellers, knowledge holders of their 'ownership' of those names, stories, or knowledge that may be used in this article. Instead, it is here asserted that any use made of the names etc in this article can not be considered a genuine, authentic, authorised use, and should, rather, be regarded as more of a charactiture of the original, promotional in nature, leading readers towards the actual, authentic knowledge holders, potentially increasing the value of their intellectual and cultural property .. As a matter of practice, in accessing and using such names, stories or knowledges I undertake, wherever possible, to either name the person/s or family who have originally given the performances/knowledge, and/or the families/group from amongst whom the performances/knowledges find their source.
If there is an alternative or better approach to take in relation to the above, I would welcome comment or advice.
Suggestions, Support & Advice Most Welcome
I remain, of course, new to this whole public encylopedic entry/ies exercise, still finding my way .. and am very open and receptive to any suggestions, advice, recommendations, or support that anyone may have to offer .. particularly in relation to proposed editing activities listed above:
Bruceanthro (talk) 14:57, 23 February 2008 (UTC)
