Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Involvement

Our practice includes an active and wide-ranging client base in respect of Indigenous cultures.

We were awarded the tender from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) to convene the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Cultural and Intellectual Property consultancy.

This consultancy was led by Ms Terri Janke a then lawyer at the firm who has wide experience and knowledge of the area.

The completed report Our Culture: Our Future - Proposals for the Recognition and Protection of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property was published and distributed widely in August 1999.

We drafted submissions to the Commonwealth Copyright Enforcement Review in 1999 on aspects of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property rights on behalf of AIATSIS. Whilst at this Firm Terri Janke attended the public hearings in Canberra.

We pride ourselves for having a wide understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land and Cultural Heritage Laws. We have a demonstrated expertise in these and related areas working with Indigenous Australians.

Reflecting our area of specialisation, we actively look to assist with the advancement of protection for Indigenous Australian people in respect of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property rights. To that end the firm has been actively involved in a wide number of matters concerning Indigenous composers, writers, film directors, film producers and artists. We are proud to be associated as lawyers for the producers of the documentary films, feature films and television programs by and about Indigenous Australians.

This firm has developed documentation and special provisions in complex commercial documentation that take account of the cultural and integrity issues for Indigenous peoples.

Of particular note has been the firm's active involvement with the soon to enacted indigenous moral rights legislation.