Koha - intellectual property

Koha is the name of the open-source library software developed by the Horowhenua Library Trust in Levin New Zealand.   It was given the name 'koha' because it was intended to be a 'gift' to any library or organisation that wanted to use it.  Koha is the Maori word for gift, donation or parting message.   This word is in common usage in New Zealand by both Maori and Pakeha and often it is used when we want to give a donation to help  fund an event being attended by the giver.  It is also used when staying on a marae or meeting-place to fund the expenses that have been incurred in the visit.
The essence of the word is that it is a gift - freely given and that is why it was chosen and used and also why it was not protected as a trademark.   The software has been exported and  is now used around the world.   In particular it has enabled libraries in developing countries to automate their collections and provide a better service to their people without the huge expense of other ILSs.
Now a US company Liblime has applied to register the word KOHA for computer software.  The Horowhenua Library Trust and other libraries like the New Zealand School of Export Library who use Koha face a battle to oppose this application.
There is a guest post on the Patentbuff blog which you can read here: http://www.patentbuff.com/2011/11/guest-post-how-koha-trade-mark-dispute.html  in which it is stated quite clearly that because the Horowhenua Library Trust has prior use of the trade mark KOHA in New Zealand , there is a good chance the Library Trust could successfully oppose the application.
You can also read Librarian Joann Ransom's plea for help here:  http://koha-community.org/plea-horowhenua-library-trust/
This is a classic case of Maori words being used in a way which is completely against the spirit or wairua of the word.   Of course it may also be regarded as a case of the ignorant exporter unwittingly giving away intellectual property because they haven't done their homework.
Let's hope that Liblime will try to understand this situation and like the American company which tried to market a beer called 'Maori King' will withdraw the application.   Colorado Brewery Funkwerks changed the name when they learned of the significance of their chosen name and the fact that there was indeed a Maori King.

Information and NZSOE - Blatant Advertising

We are passionate about information at the New Zealand School of Export.   We believe that information is one of the keys to excellence in international trade education.  In turn we trust that our graduates carry on the information skills learned into their own export ventures.

This is why we update our website regularly.   The changes may not be substantial but they either add to the information we have, or ensure that what we have is current.  Resources we recommend have all been vetted by a professional librarian: see www.export.ac.nz

It is too easy even for professional educators to fall back on Google or Wikipedia without thinking about our real information needs and formulating a clear and simple sentence about what it is we need and what the key words are.  We do not however discount the usefulness of either of these tools and indeed the 2011 version of the International Trade Research Module for the Diploma of International Trade has a whole chapter on Wikipedia for international trade professionals.

Yes this is blatant advertising but that's because we believe in what we do and the power of information for the exporter.

We keep a close watch too on a wide variety of publications including recently the Waitangi Tribunal report WAI 262.   Both government and private institutions publish material　which have direct comments on our international trade or on issues which impinge on it.   WAI 262 is a very good example of this.  It has had a long gestation period but right back in 2002 when Dr Rudzki published the Biotechnology report for the Manawatu he recognised the importance of this report for the future.

Both government and private sector reports contain information, comments and statements which affect the whole international trade community and particularly exporters.  For example in the case of WAI 262, it concerns intellectual property.   Section 1.5.5 refers to the TRIPS Agreement and it recommends a dual strategy in 1.6 that:

 1. New Zealand introduce a regime to protect mataurange Maori and taonga works, and
 2. to advocate for broad uptake of minimum standards of protection in the international community, whether in large multilateral or smaller free trade agreements

You can find the full report in pdf format at:

http://www.waitangi-tribunal.govt.nz/reports/default.asp?type=wai&keywords=262

Intellectual Property and TPP

It will be interesting to see what the New Zealand reaction is to this May 17 release from the US Chamber of Commerce - this is the text only:


The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Center (GIPC) today applauded members of the U.S. Senate for their support of strong intellectual property (IP) protections in the current negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), citing abipartisan letter from 28 Senators to President Barack Obama urging strong intellectual property provisions in the trade agreement. 
“With the United States and eight other countries engaged in the negotiations, the TPP is envisioned as a cutting-edge trade accord that will serve as a doorway through which American exporters can better access the booming markets of Asia,” said Mark Elliot, GIPC’s executive vice president. Pointing to the leadership of Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) for spearheading the letter, Elliot said, “Senators Hatch, Cantwell, and the other signatories should be commended for their strong support for advancing the protection of America’s IP-intensive industries globally and for recognizing the important precedential value of the TPP in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.” 
The bipartisan letter highlights the economic contributions of America’s IP-intensive industries and the crucial role strong intellectual property protection plays in promoting the vitality of these industries. The letter also urges the administration to not only seek the highest IP standards as it finalizes the proposals, but to also reject any efforts to weaken IP protection as compared with high-standard agreements such as the U.S.—Korea Free Trade Agreement. 
“The economic growth and global competitiveness of the United States hinges on our ability to foster innovation and creativity,” added Elliot. “Senators Hatch and Cantwell should be commended for their support and advocacy for protecting the ingenuity and inventiveness of U.S. businesses and the 19 million American workers whose jobs depend on intellectual property.”
The Chamber’s Global Intellectual Property Center is working around the world to champion intellectual property (IP) rights as vital to creating jobs, saving lives, advancing global economic growth, and generating breakthrough solutions to global challenges.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.