INTRODUCTION OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS BILL, 2015
Title: Protection, Promotion, Development and Management of Indigenous Knowledge Systems Bill, 2015
Government Notice: GN 199 in GG 39910 of 8 April 2016
Date of commencement: Not yet specified
This notice introduces the Protection, Promotion, Development and Management of Indigenous Knowledge Systems Bill, 2015 for comments. The purpose of this Bill is, inter alia, to protect the indigenous knowledge of indigenous communities from unauthorised use and misappropriation. Indigenous knowledge will be recognised as property of indigenous communities and include knowledge of a scientific or technical nature, knowledge of natural resources; and indigenous cultural expressions which has been passed on from generation to generation within an indigenous community, has been developed within an indigenous community; and is associated with the cultural make up and social identity of that indigenous community.
This Bill establishes the National Indigenous Knowledge Systems Office (NIKSO) from which a licence will have to be obtained to use indigenous knowledge for commercial purposes. Furthermore, any person who wishes to practise as an indigenous knowledge practitioner will have to apply for such certification and accreditation with NIKSO. Records of all indigenous knowledge will have to be kept by NIKSO and NIKSO may provide assistance related to the commercial use or development of such indigenous knowledge.
A registration office for indigenous knowledge will also have to be established and all indigenous knowledge can be registered as such by the holder of such knowledge.
“So what” for my operation?
Once this Bill has been enacted into law, you will have to obtain a licence from NIKSO if your operation intends to use indigenous knowledge for commercial purposes