Intellectual property is the property of your mind or privately owned knowledge. It is very important when working with Aboriginal people and recording traditional ways and medicines that intellectual property is properly acknowledged and protected.
Manypharmaceutical companies have been exclusive rights to certain native Australian plants and have patented certain plant properties. As a result, by law, Aboriginal people cannot use the plant species without approval from the drug companies.
Currently, Australian laws do not adequately protect Aboriginal people bush medicine intellectual property, and many of them believe that there is not adequate recognitions or protection of their culture.
