BY PETER KRANZ
YOU MAY HAVE heard about the French company that has trademarked the word bilum. We mentioned it on PNG Attitude last year.
It makes a classy range of shoulder bags from recycled material which is sold in Europe.
On its website the company says:
All rights of trademarks, designs, texts and all other products are under Bilum sole copyright. Modifications, reproductions or any imitation or copy is forbidden. However, links towards the website are allowed without any specific authorisation.
I emailed them and explained that bilum was a generic word for a traditional hand-woven bag in PNG and had been in common usage for at least 100 years.
The French company Bilum had the courtesy to reply to my query about trademarking the word bilum – see below (spelling as received).
Hello, Yes, I know and I mentioned it on the web site (unfortunatly only in french). I have a lot of respect for the traidtionnel papua new guinea hand made bag, and explained that. Thank’s for your mail. Hélène”
I don’t think the company intends to affect anyone making or selling bilums in PNG. However if a PNG business started selling bilums in France and used the word bilum it might be a different story.
And our Christmas collection will be unveiled to the tune of that well-known '30s Bernard and Smith standard,
"Walking in Koteka Underwear"
Posted by: Peter Kranz | 20 July 2012 at 07:36 PM
Aww KJ, it took MONTHS to work that into something.
Anyway for the youngsters, here's the original - which can't be beat.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioQlOml6vvA
Posted by: Peter Kranz | 16 July 2012 at 08:17 PM
Murray - And the models will be waltzing down the catwalk accommpanied by that famous '40s song "The Neufchâtel, Koteka and a Mumu today."
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Shishhh - this blog is getting seriously cosmopolitan - KJ
Posted by: Peter Kranz | 16 July 2012 at 07:09 PM
Peter....look forward to seeing your gourd'n'cord range!
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Slogan: 'Just pull the cord / And oh my gourd!' - KJ
Posted by: Murray Bladwell | 16 July 2012 at 11:41 AM
On a hot day the catwalk gets a bit cheesy, but watch out for our 2013 highlights - Monsieur Camembert's Camisole, and the Boursin Banis.
(Enough from Le Grand Fromage.)
Posted by: Peter Kranz | 16 July 2012 at 11:35 AM
I hereby give notice that Rose'n'Pete Ltd. have copyrighted (copywrit?) the words 'susu', 'banis, and 'bulumakau' and will shortly be launching a range of dairy products with matching lingerie.
Wait to see our brie'n'bra collection!
Posted by: Peter Kranz | 16 July 2012 at 09:23 AM
Bilum (the company in question) seems to be going from strength to strength in France. They even have Youtube clips and a Facebook page.
The sad thing is that they are exploiting a word that has been in common usage for generations and is a natural and vibrant part of PNG culture.
The application of copyright law across languages and cultures seems to be a very grey area. Sure Apple Inc. can't stop a grocer from selling apples, but it seems a French company can stop a PNG craft shop selling bilums in Paris.
Ironically France has a very strict 'state of origin' labelling laws. So local producers can't sell fizzy wine as 'champagne' in Australia.
Vive la différence!
Posted by: Peter Kranz | 16 July 2012 at 09:09 AM
How unfortunate for my people that most of whom weave and sell bilums are illiterate.....
Posted by: Rhonda Nidue Kaptigau | 30 June 2011 at 11:32 AM