Intellectual Property Policy

Presentations on the Canadian Intellectual Property Regime

 
 
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Report on the Presentations to the British Columbia First Nations
Vancouver, British Columbia
March 10 and 11, 2003

For the past decade, the Governments of Canada and British Columbia and many of BC's First Nations have been engaged in a unique negotiation process, with the goal of creating treaties that provide certainty for all three parties regarding land and resource issues and the scope of Aboriginal self-government. Self-government negotiations strive to address Aboriginal goals of increased political, social and economic authority and self-reliance, and the mutually beneficial reconciliation of the interests of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians.

Over the course of negotiations, it became apparent to many tables that intellectual property (IP) was an issue in need of further clarification. In response to this need, the Canadian Heritage regional treaty negotiator initiated a plan to deliver and coordinate a workshop for First Nations involved in the British Columbia (BC) treaty process. This workshop took place in Canadian Heritage offices in Vancouver, BC, on March 10 and 11, 2003. To ensure a broad approach to the subject matter, federal presentations on specific IP matters were supplemented by presentations from academic/research professionals. These presentations described both IP and other legal mechanisms to protect Aboriginal culture and heritage. Current efforts related to the protection of Aboriginal culture and heritage were also presented. Following is a report on the presentations and discussions.

 
 
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