This document is submitted by a group of experts and scholars working in various areas of intellectual property and indigenous knowledge systems (hereinafter "IKS"). It does not purport to speak for all experts working on these issues, nor does it reflect the positions of our respective institutions. All contributors are committed to the appropriate protection, promotion, development and management of indigenous knowledge and the self-determination of indigenous peoples.
Our approach is to engage with the Protection, Promotion, Development, and Management of Indigenous Knowledge Systems Bill (hereinafter "IKS Bill") in a sympathetic and constructive yet critical manner. This submission is structured as an outline document - it comments on a few provisions in the IKS Bill that are of particular importance and concern to indigenous communities. We do not attempt an exhaustive review of the IKS Bill at this time, but rather aim to highlight certain areas of concern. We hope this will generate a broader discussion into the contours of the IKS Bill as a whole. We also add some of our own recommendations. In addition, we are available to attend any consultations to elaborate on these issues in the finalisation of the IKS Bill.
The College of Arts