Who owns the Australian Aboriginal flag?

On 24 January 2022, the Commonwealth government announced, after more than three years of confidential negotiations, Thomas had transferred the copyright to the flag to the Commonwealth.

Who does the Aboriginal flag belong to?

This week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the federal government had “freed the Aboriginal flag for Australians”. After an extensive social media campaign to #Freetheflag, the federal government has purchased the copyright from Harold Thomas, the Luritja artist who created it more than 50 years ago.

Who owns the rights to the Aboriginal flag in Australia?

The Australian Government negotiated the licence of the Aboriginal flag, which was owned by Luritja artist and designer / creator Harold Thomas, plus three companies that Thomas had licenced the design to in recent years – WAM Clothing, Gifts Mate, and Flagworld.

Who owns the Aboriginal flag 2021?

'It belongs to everyone': Australian government buys rights to Aboriginal flag for $14 million. Australia's government has bought the copyright to the Aboriginal flag, making it freely available for public use and ending a longstanding battle over the design.

Why did the government buy the Aboriginal flag?

The government says this is to "ensure the flags themselves are of the highest quality and continue to be manufactured in Australia", but Flagworld is not stopping individuals from making their own flag for personal use.

Is the Aboriginal flag legal?

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was quoted in a press release on 25 January saying: “All Australians can now put the Aboriginal Flag on apparel such as sports jerseys and shirts, it can be painted on sports grounds, included on websites, in paintings and other artworks, used digitally and in any other medium without ...

Is the Aboriginal flag an official Australian flag?

The Australian Aboriginal Flag was proclaimed on 14 July 1995. Permission is not required to fly the Australian Aboriginal Flag. Images of the Australian Aboriginal Flag are freely available for public use, such as using the image on a website or in artwork.

Who is Ben Wooster?

WAM Clothing is owned by Ben Wooster and Semele Moore, two non-Indigenous people. In fact, Wooster was previously found guilty of selling "authentic" Indigenous art that was actually made in Indonesia. He was fined $2.3 million for it. So, he seems like the kind of guy I'd trust with my culture...

Who is Semele Moore?

Semele Moore - Company Owner - WAM Clothing | LinkedIn.

Who owns clothing the gap?

In civics, two such people are Laura Thompson and Sarah Sheridan, founders of Clothing the Gaps. You might be surprised to learn that Aboriginal-owned and led apparel brand Clothing the Gaps has only been operating for two years.

Who is WAM clothing?

WAM Clothing Pty Ltd is the exclusive licensee for a range of clothing and apparel, towels, and digital and physical media products featuring the Aboriginal Flag, pursuant to licence agreements granted by the copyright owner and artist who designed the flag, Mr Harold Thomas, for an agreed period of time.

Do you need permission to fly the Aboriginal flag?

Permission is not required to fly the Australian Aboriginal flag, however, the Australian Aboriginal flag is protected by copyright and may only be reproduced in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968 or with the permission of Mr Harold Thomas.

Who designed and copyright the Australian Aboriginal flag?

"Over the last 50 years we made Harold Thomas' artwork our own - we marched under the Aboriginal flag, stood behind it, and flew it high as a point of pride," said Minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt. "Now that the Commonwealth holds the copyright, it belongs to everyone, and no-one can take it away."

Can the Australian flag touch the ground?

Dignity of the Flag

The Flag normally takes precedence over all other national flags when flown in Australia. It should always be flown aloft and free and should not be allowed to fall or lie upon the ground.

Do you fly the Aboriginal flag on Anzac Day?

The Australian National Flag can be flown alongside other flags on Anzac Day, Remembrance Day and other important days. Other flags you might see include: Australian Aboriginal Flag.

Does Australia have 2 flags?

There are three official flags in Australia. The 3 flags of Australia include the Australian National Flag, the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag.

How much did WAM pay Harold Thomas?

The historic $20 million settlement between Thomas and the federal government confirmed last night will see the flag return to the public domain.

Who owns WAM clothing company?

WAM is owned by the former art dealer Ben Wooster, whose previous company Birubi Art was fined AU$2.3m (£1.2m) in 2018 for selling "Aboriginal artworks" that were actually made in Indonesia.

When did Harold Thomas sell the Aboriginal flag?

On 24 January 2022, the Commonwealth government announced, after more than three years of confidential negotiations, Thomas had transferred the copyright to the flag to the Commonwealth.

Is clothing the gaps Aboriginal owned?

Clothing The Gaps is a Victorian Aboriginal led and controlled, and majority Aboriginal owned social enterprise, co-founded by Laura Thompson (Gunditjmara) and Sarah Sheridan (non-Indigenous).

What is always was always will be?

“Always Was, Always Will Be Aboriginal Land” is an important statement within First Nations communities as it reasserts that the very first footprints on this continent were those belonging to First Nations peoples, and that their sovereignty of this Country has never been ceded.

What is free the flag about?

The Free The Flag campaign was launched by Clothing the Gap in 2019 to call for new licensing agreements over the flag's design, particularly for Aboriginal businesses and organisations.

Do Australia and New Zealand have the same flag?

Though similar, the countries' flags are not identical. New Zealand's features four five-pointed, red stars to represent the Southern Cross. On the Australian flag, the four stars are white and each has seven points. Six of the stars' points represent Australia's six states.

Can you use Aboriginal names?

The New South Wales Government is committed to recognising Aboriginal cultural heritage by registering original place names given by Aboriginal people so that they sit side by side with existing European names.

What is Canberra Aboriginal name?

Canberra is Ngunnawal country. The Ngunnawal are the Indigenous people of this region and its first inhabitants.