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dragonlady7via http://ift.tt/2pe9W9W:
indigenous-caribbean:
Indigenous women hope to trademark textiles to fight intellectual property theft
Guatemala is recognized throughout the world for the quality of its intricately handwoven textiles. Maya women have used them to make huipiles that, over hundreds of years, have come to represent an important part of their cultural identity.
The designs have become popular among contemporary designers who steal them without communicating with the Maya communities, without compensation, or respect to Maya people’s intellectual property, and use them to create appropriated “fashion accessories”. Maya women aren’t happy about that and have started a legal battle to trademark their work.
But as Correspondent Harris Whitbeck reports, it’s not just a dispute about textiles. It’s a fight for women’s and Indigenous rights.
indigenous-caribbean:
Indigenous women hope to trademark textiles to fight intellectual property theft
Guatemala is recognized throughout the world for the quality of its intricately handwoven textiles. Maya women have used them to make huipiles that, over hundreds of years, have come to represent an important part of their cultural identity.
The designs have become popular among contemporary designers who steal them without communicating with the Maya communities, without compensation, or respect to Maya people’s intellectual property, and use them to create appropriated “fashion accessories”. Maya women aren’t happy about that and have started a legal battle to trademark their work.
But as Correspondent Harris Whitbeck reports, it’s not just a dispute about textiles. It’s a fight for women’s and Indigenous rights.
